Moving away from pulley issue. removing belts 1 at a time and unplugged radiator fans, yielded no change.
First thing I did next was check for misfires, a few where there none favoring a cylinder. Cylinder 1 logged 24 more after a short drive, couple other cylinders counted a misc. few. I haven't bird dogged misfires under normal conditions. So unknown if this is related yet.
Next I pulled the plugs to inspect burn pattern and taper seals, all good. I'm going to crawl under and give a listen. The chirp is everywhere and nowhere. But predominately on drivers side. Need to put a blanket down to help stop the sound from reverberating. Frustrating one to pin point. I'm going to put some younger ears on it Monday before tearing anything down if I can't isolate it in the morning. No CEL at this point so I'm not going to go crazy trying to find it. And if it is a lifter, it will make it's presence detectable.
Already have a few carts loaded with parts.

I had an odd squeak coming from my exhaust system but it sounded like it was under the hood as well. Its a full Corsa G8 system and it fits 98% perfectly but that 2% got me for sure. It ended up being it was putting stress on one of the rubber hangers and one clamp wasn't perfectly seated. Once those items were corrected, no squeak, and it definitely sounded like belt or engine squeak originally. I identified this by pushing on the exhaust tips while the car was running and I listened for changes. It was the drivers side hence why I heard it frequently while driving.

Hopefully its something easy like this. Good luck.

 

Did some checking around today, zeroed in on cylinder 3 intake and cylinder 1 exhaust as well as some questionable rockers. Found a GM bulletin on the symptoms online. It suggested pulling the valve covers. With injectors and coils unplugged start the engine and push on rockers and listen for a change in sound. This changed nothing but the wood handle amplified the sound. And swapping rockers around confirmed the lifters and help isolate 3 tickers. Pearl was very angry after the whole affair. She's closed back up for now. I hope not but probably going to need another cam. Not going to worry about that until heads are pulled.
Edit: The pic is from running on 4 of 8 cylinders during test procedure. The patient has no CEL, the codes are from finding the cure.

 

Changed out the oil after work, sparkles tell me cam and lifter at #3 are through. Time to arrange alternate daily commuter. I have to say ouch, temperatures for next weekends forecast are 98F. That's like 112F in dry heat. Drink lots of water people, and watch out for heat stroke. Besides that, this will be a hoot. Cramming for final exam now!

 

I may have my original LS3 cam with 13-14k on the clock if you’re rocking a stock cam

 

THANKS, I STILL HAVE MY ORIGINAL WITH ONLY 35K. I'M PULLING THE HEADS AND GONG TO EVALUATE WHAT ALL HAPPENED. AFTER SHOPPING AROUND AND COMMUNICATING WITH SOME SPEED SHOPS ABOUT PARTS AND LISTENING TO THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ON MY PART SELECTION. WHEN I TORE DOWN THE TOP END TO LOCATE NOISE. BUT AMOUNT OF OILING WAS SUSPECT.
WELL AFTER THE SECOND LIFTER FAILURE I REALIZED TROUBLE WAS ELSEWHERE AND NOT THE NOTORIOUS OEM FAILURE. FIRST LESSON ON BUILDS WITH HIGH SPRING PRESSURE TO EXCEED 6000K RPM, HIGH FLOW FLOW OIL PUMP A MUST AS WELL AS RACE LIFTERS. AND I ONLY COMPOUNDED THE ISSUE WITH 1:8 ROCKERS. THE LS9 CAM ENCOURAGES TO REV HIGHER SO I WAS PAST 6K IN NO TIME. I RARELY SEE WIDE OPEN ROAD IN FRONT OF ME SO "SS WOT". TEAR DOWN STARTS THIS WEEKEND, BUT 100 DEGREES IN LOUISIANA SAYS NOT MUCH TO GET DONE OUTSIDE THIS WEEKEND. PEARL IS PARKED AT THIS POINT. I AM GOING TO PICK UP OIL PRESSURE TEST KIT TODAY. THIS WILL DETERMINE CAM AND SPRING SELECTION IF CAM IS DESTROYED.
PIECES IN MAIL:
1) JOHNSON LIFTERS
2) OEM ROCKERS W/ BRONZE BUSH
3) TIMING COVER AND HEAD GASKETS
4) SPRINGS AND CAM "TBD"
5) BALANCER PULLER AND INSTALLER

 

Preparing operating room for surgery. Lots of homework and parts shopping last few days. There are a few LS tools I need, so those are coming as well. Pearl is now in place to cut open. I have ported heads on the wish list, sent out a few request on delivery times. Not holding my breath and my 2k budget leaves me not counting on it. Anyone here have experience with Flow-tek. One of few in stock. I prefer the OE casting, "sleeper". Hoping Gwatney can do a 2 wk delivery on a set of GM castings. Pearl wants keep the 821's in here hope chest.

 

Preparing operating room for surgery. Lots of homework and parts shopping last few days. There are a few LS tools I need, so those are coming as well. Pearl is now in place to cut open. I have ported heads on the wish list, sent out a few request on delivery times. Not holding my breath and my 2k budget leaves me not counting on it. Anyone here have experience with Flow-tek. One of few in stock. I prefer the OE casting, "sleeper". Hoping Gwatney can do a 2 wk delivery on a set of GM castings. Pearl wants keep the 821's in here hope chest.

 

Lesson 1, disconnect battery before the fuel line. Shout out to my local fire department. They helped me remove the Cowl Grill and Bumper Cover before they melted.

😨

 

what the??? did ya burn down the house?

 

Just a joke buddy

 

Organ deliveries have intensified. Can't call it confusing as much as vague. Valve stem seals with two different color seals. 1/2 sheet instruction would be nice! Starting tear down in the morning but
not looking at putting in a full day. Index was at 107F and tomorrows forecast slightly warmer.🥵
Stopped by the local engine machine shop to check on turnaround time, no one answers the phone. The big guy guy said he turn them around in a week. So if anything suspect on the heads they go for surgree. If not, I'll put in fresh springs, seals, and call it a day. This also frees up funds for a new balancer, and that Quick Jack that I need.

 

It begins, put all that organizing to use this morning. Patient was in good spirits and now sits in stasis. Removed the bumper grill, and relieved the coolant and oil. With only 50 miles on it the volume of metallic chips could be little more than a rinse from the oil that went in last weekend. With only 50 miles on the filter, I will change that after I due initial warmup and cool down on new valve train assy. Most of the parts are arriving a little early, so most everything here. Of course there will be surprises. Today was a busted clip on one of the purge solenoid hose connections.
That too is now on way.
I have a thought of where the metal is coming from, but I'll wait to write anything until I confirm. And that BFF, "Big Fricken Fan". Was exactly that today. The heat index was 107F, when I wrapped it up and my shirt wasn't soaked.🥵 I did realize the radiator coil needs cleaning. That explains why my temp needle has slightly climbed over time. I more on the list.

 

@SS WOT !! You oughta have one of these on hand!! I most surely do!!! Its how you really see WTF is flowing through the mains!! The filter media,,, DOCTOR,,, The filter media!!!!

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

I feel you there. I did that with the filter I removed last week. Still I'm not assuming that this can be ignored. I know this filter has some metal in it. Now if I miss something downstairs. Why I will get a stroked short block then. So far all the metallic particles are magnetic. No bronze. You are right though, I'll check this one as well. Trying to save change at this point is ludicrous.

 

Well the top end broke down, including the cylinder heads. While taking out lifters, the offender #3 intake would not come out. Everything else looks fine. So back to work on the trouble maker. Worked the lifter loose, I know the rocker was moving last weekend. I set up my cheesy endoscope because I can only think of one thing that could cause this. The pin on lifter trunnion went for a walk. I got a glimpse of it a couple times. So I rotated the lifter 180° . And attempted to pull it up, no go. Put it back and it moves up and down. I have one idea, but looks like the engine is coming out.
Signed, Heartbroke...

 

Busy week at work and shopping for everything for top end. Short of a couple fasteners, and elbow grease, I have another busy week ahead. Taking some time off work to dig in and finish this. Cam and lifter coming out in the morning. From there I will know if oil passage is breached.
Thanks to all those still and those who moved on. All of the accumulated knowledge made it much easier to work on this motor. The special tools are really a must. Even by hand I just made short work of the balancer. Now with lifter on a lanyard, we are coming out the cam bore.

And a shout out to the individual who implemented this meat hook. Maliciously stunning work.

 

Little update. Cam removal revealed a busted timing chain tensioner. So oil pan dropped, good thing anyway. I found the missing cam lobes. Cleaned pan and carbon off pistons, reinstalled along with high volume oil pump and LS2 tensioner. Coils cleaned, and wire brush and paint on chassis where some rust was developing. Finished cleaning heads up and reassembled with a lower pressure springs. Parts bin shrinking, YEAH!

 

Lifters pickling in oil. i installed radiator and tranny cooler last night. Finished prepping the decks today, install heads tomorrow. Prime the oil pump and close the motor back up. Getting closer to finished...

Looking back on this thread I realized I forgot to post the biggest relief of all. That's when the lifter wouldn't come out with the tray. So it came out following the cam.

 

Getting close now! Proper push rods arriving on Tuesday, small leak on mid pipes, and water pump. Priming the oil pump now, after that the alternator goes back on.
Looks like the wire loom going to positive power post is getting brittle and cracking, Something to keep an eye on. I really, really, miss my car...!

 

Busy weekends lately. Spent a few nights this week looking for loose ends and wrapping those up. Today I filled up the oil, cranked the motor. Verified new oil pump was working and closed up the motor. I installed fans and hoses, added coolant. The Continental hoses they specify for the SS worked perfectly, and have a much more substantial wall thickness:

Continental Elite Online Parts Catalog

ShowMeTheParts is changing how the world finds replacement parts for their vehicles.

wholesale.mycontiparts.com

Closed up exhaust, O2's, wiper reservoir, lol. Intake in the morning and fire her up, I miss my car...!

 

And good news today is, first push:

 

Like,,, THIS,,,,

 

 

Pearl is back online and treated me right all week. Thought this a good time to summarize what things looked like. I haven't tore into an engine in about 35 years, so I did enjoy the project but miss my twenty something back. I did do a lot of homework before I opened things up. And YouTube is great to familiarize yourself with what things look like and the useful LS tools to expedite some of the tasks.
First thing that seemed off was pulling the lifter trays. Only 2 of the 16 lifter stayed in tray. Later I discovered this video here, I had just bolted on heads or I think I would have went with link bars instead of trays. This may explain some of the damage.

I think the shop was overestimating the OEM oil pump when selecting PAC-1207X springs. By all accounts i could find the LS7 lifters should be capable to handle those heavy springs, but did not. This is with 0.590" of lift. And several of the lifters were failing where they support the roller pins. Could have been catastrophic. It did pull like crazy and showed no signs of dropping power past 6000 RPM. But the carnage is no good.

Here's some snapshots of the now scrap metal. Basically every single contact surface suffered damage like this to some degree.

So I am back to stock lift OEM bronze bushed rockers, Johnson 2110R lifters, and a Melling M295HV oil pump. I ordered a 10296 oil pump, the M295HV I received is same spec so I went ahead and used it. For valve springs I went with PAC-1219X, a little added spring pressure. Nothing like 400+ lbs. Very quiet compared to last rig.

 

After a weekend of repairs I played hooky to give my back a rest and take her out on shakedown cruise. Been about 7 months since this happened. I gave the oil pan a good inspection for glitter. As well as cutting open the oil filter today. Happy to report only 3 shiny specs after 5k mIles, she cleaned up nice. I did do a 500 mile oil change as well.
Weird one this morning, fob battery died without a warning this time. No locks, alarm went off using key. The pocket stopped the alarm but still no pushbutton. Lucky my red dots help me keep 2032's around.