Noisy Chevy Valve Lifters!!!

I have a 1997 Chevy 3/4 ton with the 350, on a cold morning, after starting the truck, the valve lifters make a lot of noise. If the truck is given some fuel it gets worse. This tends to go on until the temperature guage senses that it's finally starting to warm up. Is there a way to quiet these lifters or am I in for some expensive repairs? Any help is appreciated, I need it, my wife drives this thing to work everyday. (my commute is twice as far) -Dave P. Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Sometimes a slightly thicker viscosity oil will quiet noisy lifters, try some 10W-40 instead of the 10W-30. The '89 and up Chevy's have roller tipped hydraulic lifters from the factory, which usually run quiet and last a long time.  Pull the valve covers and reset the valve lash.  If you don't already have a Haynes manual (about $12 at your local autoparts store) get one! It has common troubleshooting guide and covers a complete tear down and rebuild from bumper to bumper and will explain how to adjust the rocker arms and check valve lash.

Thanks for the input, Do you know if this problem affects the efficiency of the engine or its just an intolerable noise?  

Welcome to owning a chevy! Guess you hadn't heard.....

Can

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Thicker oil is a bad idea at this point. IF the noise is only occurring at a engine temps LOWER than idieal operating temp, a thicker oil could make it worse. Thicker oil will starve the upper end of the engine longer, as it is more more to become heavier in viscosity at cooler temps. A thinner oil is more likely to reach the problem spot quicker, at the risk of thermal break down. I seriously don't reccomend messing with the manufacturers reccomended oil viscosity, unless you are operating your vehicle under extreme temperature or load condidtions.

Try Lucas Oil additive, It makes oil more "sticky" without changing viscosity. This may keep oil where its need for startup.

Have your valves adjusted, if this doesnt help.

You are right, the real fix is adjust the valves...but if a hydraulic lifter is leaking down, a thicker viscocity oil will keep the lifter "pumped up" longer before the oil runs out...conversely a thinner oil, yes would get to the lifter sooner, but not keep it pumped up.  In the colder climate that you are used to, thicker oil is definately not the best idea...but in most areas that are a little warmer than good old Canada going from 10W-30 to 10W-40 isn't that big a deal

just let it warm up the inlaws drive new chevys every single one of them have lifter noise when they start them up it sounds awful but apparently that is the way they are iv even heard of dealers sayin that