engine racket

[thatbigbody]

Does anyone here with lt1 get a clickety-clack noise when they step on the throttle from 1/2 to 3/4 way open? I believe it is coming from the engine and I think it may just be the valves taping. I never here it during normal acceleration using only quarter throttle and never hear it at idle. Someone suggested to me that it is knocking, but I have no reason to believe this since our cars have a knock module and I don't think my timing is advanced. I also just did an oil change and switched from 87 to 89 octane fuel to be safe. Still hearing noise. Any ideas?:confused:

[9C1LT195]

Loose rockers or a broken valve spring might cause click-clack noise.

[thatbigbody]

I discovered an exhaust leak at the flange on the passenger side near the b pillar. Maybe this is the cause of some of the noise. Probably not the clickety clack noise though.

How difficult do you think it would be to check my valve springs and rockers? Even though I'm prone to doing things myself if it can be done, I'm no mechanic, so I don't wan't to cause more harm than good. Easy or no?....

[9C1LT195]

Just take off the valve covers and let the car idle. You will have to remove the alternator to take off the passenger side cover. If you have a loose rocker or a broken spring it will be pretty obvious.

[reverendstu]

So is it really a clickety-clack, or a p-p-p-p sorta thing? lol. W-w-w-well? These are kinda noisy pushrod engines, hence the LT4 knock sensors if ya get headers. My manifold leak is noticeable only when you get some load on, ie acceleration. Yeah, I know I should fix it quick, but funds are limited.
Hey guys, would an ominous a valve noise be present all the time, or only under laod?

[thatbigbody]

Ya know what....I really don't know, lol. These freaking noises are so hard to describe in words. Everybody has their own interpretation of what a noise should be described as. What I need is a thorough ass mechanic in DC or philly area. I'd just bring him my car, take him for a drive and he'd know exactly what's going on. What I do know is that my noise can only be heard when I get on the throttle. Doesn't matter if the engine is hot or cold and goes away immediately after I let up. I'm kinda startin to associate it with my torque. Seems I always hear it when I'm flexin my muscles to give somebody a look at my tail lights. :D I will pop my valve covers and take a look when I get a chance. Hope it's nothin serious.

[gilsi9c1]

hey bigbody, i think i know of a place around gaithursburg. some guys from the WAIL group around me put me onto it. check out Montgomery Village Exxon (formerly Bulkhead Racing HQ). http://www.impalaclub.com/naisso/shops/viewshops.asp?catID=38 (check here). aparently they service alot of caprices and impala's and know what theyre doin. this is just heresay cause i have no experience with them, my neighbor's a mechanic :D.

[gilsi9c1]

damn, i did that link backwards, this should work.check here (http://www.impalaclub.com/naisso/shops/viewshops.asp?catID=38 )

[rat9c1]

I don't know exactly what it is from your description, but if you have an engine with high milage and you run it hard, things will definetly begin to wear down/break on you. Something that you could try that couldn't hurt is go to wal-mart, k-mart, parts store... anywhere really... pick up some Marvel Mystery Oil... comes in a red container... you should find it in the general area around fuel injector cleaner etc.... and dump a bottle of that shit in with your oil. Might help. Note: DON'T OVERFILL YOUR OIL, that can lead to high oil pressure and a blown head gasket. I had some noisey lifters not pumpin up and knockin the cam... put that mystery oil in... quited right down... give it a shot.. lemme know how it goes.

[capriceman]

There is a little trick to see if the injectors are working properly. (follow me on this)
Listen to them with a stethoscope. You should hear a regular clicking noise on each injector. The clicking should increase with engine speed.
The reason to use a stethoscope is to isolate the clicking for each injector.
The sound is audible with out using anything. It's a regular clicking in time with the engine. I can hear it at idle under the right conditions. That could be it.
At least I always thought that it was the injectors. Now You've gone and made me think.
What I hear at idle is to fast to be one or two valves. It sounds like there is one click per cylindinder. 8 for 1 rotation.
Could this be what You're hearing?

[rat9c1]

Injectors might need a cleaning... just a thought.

[thatbigbody]

Thanks for all the help guys. I will have to try some of the Marvel Mystery stuff. Worth a shot. Maybe some injector cleaner too.

This noise is funny. I can't hear it at all at idle. The engine sounds pretty smooth to me, can barely hear the valve noise while in the car at idle. But can hear this mystery click-clack noise very distinctly over the noise of the engine while in the cabin, when you step on it. It is driving me nuts. I took it to an engine rebuilder in philly to listen to. He said it might be a bent rod. A bent rod ?!?!? The damn engine has 75 K miles on it. WTF! He said they'd have to pull the engine to fix that. I can't even mess with that right now. I just got the freakin tranny rebuilt. I'm just gonna drive it and keep fresh oil in it till something happens. In the mean time, I'll take it to those guys in G-burg that gilsi suggested. Maybe they can shed some light. I haven't looked under the valve covers yet either.

[9C1LT195]

Could be a crack flexplate.

[reverendstu]

Could be the kanooten valve, too. Might need some butch fliud.
Sorry, couldn't help it, in a funny mood.