4.3L VORTEC lifter replacement

i gotta replace my lifters so i can shut y frickin engine up and i have no exact idea of what im doing!


do i have to rip off the lower and upper intake or can the lower come off taking the upper with it... idk wht parts ill need really... never ventured this far into an engine (20 yrs old) and i was wondering any help on labor hours ideas and what parts ill need would be helpful

Welcome. What year and mileage?
Why replace - usually the lifter tapping is a sign that the lower intake gasket is internally leaking so your reservior must be slowly dropping. Coolant sprays into the valley and gets on them and they start tapping. If this hasn't gone on for an extended time you put a new lower intake on and clean up all the mess in the valley, pour several qts of oil over the balance shaft, cam, and lifters with the drain plug out, refill and then change the oil after 100 miles, and then again after 500 more and lifters should be fine - did 3 that way all OK. See the FAQ section for the pics on doing the intake.

what had happened was the truck developed a huge oil leak through the remote oil filter lines while my brother in law still owned it... i bought it ticking... stopped the oil leak but he neglected to keep the oil levels good enough to suffice for the leak...so thats where the oil leaking came from my father was a mechanic for 30+ yrs but cant help me anymore but said it is most likely the lifters... i just dont have a clue how to do the job and cant get his help since im no where near him anymore!

Look in the FAQ section on the lower intake replacement - shows how to pull that and lifters are under in the valley - only have to pull the lifter guides as you will see. Hope thats all if low oil, as could have damaged balance shaft, cam, and main/rod bearings.

yeah i just stumbled across that site... already got it bookmarked for a day warm enough that i can do it! knowing my luck that warm day WONT be my day off... thanx for the help though