Hey guys i will do an intro later tonight. I hafta go to work.

so im working on a 2003 chevy impala. 3.4 179xxx? miles. Just did the lower and upper intake gaskets. It runs smooth at idle, but under acceleration IN PARK, there is a tapping noise. seems to come from the front of the engine, but i cant tell which side. It does not do this when in gear under load. I checked the rocker arms at 2,4, and 6, because it was easiest. does this sound like a rocker arm?

thanks in advance.
Howlin

Can you tell if the tapping is up high in the engine, or down low.

higher up. Its just most rocker arm tapping i have heard comes at idle as well. pretty sure its not a rod.

Any chance you could post a video?

If you were to pull the rockers off you may find damage on the rocker tip and pushrod that could be causing the noise.its worth checking.

well, they are all tight. no video right now. engine idles fine still. ill check the rocker arms and pushrods for damage. thanks.

I had this happen to me. Ended up being a cracked lifter roller, which was opened up and beat flat by the cam lobe, ruining the cam in the process.

Could also be an exhaust leak...

Or cracked flex plate?

how about overtightened. after a bit of research ifound out my brother in law has left my torque wrenches cranked, then when he realizes it he turns it down and wont tell me. theres no damage, but im out a torque wrench. Ill get one tomorrow and if it fixes the problem, ill post up. thanks!

Torque on the rocker bolts? If you over torque them it wont hurt it, unless you crank the heck out of them Those bolts are a torque to yield, so the stretch a bit.