[Jay.zl1]

Originally Posted by bishopts

Take it apart yourself. What do you have to lose? You see it, you learn from it, its information you keep forever. Worse case is you have to buy another engine. But best case is you can fix it for cheaper.
There isn't any special tools needed for disassembly. Remove the intake, remove the water pump, valve covers, header bolts, head bolts. Then pull the head and you can see the lifter trays and lifters.
After you can see the situation a little better then you can plan your next move.


Also i wouldn't be surprised if the dealer is saying you need a new engine so that the tech can take yours and sell it. I was a dealer tech for about 8 years. They are mostly crooks.

You know what, I’ll take the chance you’re right about not having anything to lose at this point lol. The only problem I’d have is not really knowing what all to look for, I mean obviously I’d know what a broken lifter looks like but I don’t really know what a bad piston or valves or what marks/damage to look for once I’m in there.

[SomeGeoffGuy]

Go through and re-torque your header bolts too, just in case. A header leak can make a tic sound. My truck was sounding loud, and one of them was actually loose!

-Geoff

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by Jay.zl1

You know what, I’ll take the chance you’re right about not having anything to lose at this point lol. The only problem I’d have is not really knowing what all to look for, I mean obviously I’d know what a broken lifter looks like but I don’t really know what a bad piston or valves or what marks/damage to look for once I’m in there.

They should all look the same. So just look for one that looks different. If you don't see anything odd. Take pictures and post it here for all of us to help you.

[TransamGTA350]

I agree with what others have said. I think you are not going to make any headway with GM to cover the motor under warranty. The headers probably did not cause the issue, but from GM's point of view, it's a modification to the motor and emissions system therefore no warranty. Additionally, from a labor point of view, the dealer and GM are not going to want to deal with the extra time and hassle of removing and replacing a motor with headers.

GM would just replace the motor since that's more cost effective for them, but I agree that this motor is likely able to be saved. A replacement cam and lifters is probably all it needs.