Ah I see. The first shop I went to is full service and they've done everything for everyone. They've got engines laying around etc. I think their high price is because of the city they're in, the labor rates are much higher then the smaller city I'm going to as well as being in different counties. That being said, what you said could also be a contributing factor.

 

Update: The guy had my car for about two weeks which is fine. Couple other things needed fixing like oil pressure sensor etc. Total cost was 2k, not bad I suppose. Had the car back for a little over a week and it's been running great but...... This morning I fired it up to go to work and for about 2 seconds heard a tapping noise. It went away fast enough I wasn't even sure if I heard it since my car has always had a slight clicking noise like most Chevy's of the time period. Started off to work and it started tapping again, not clicking, tapping. Got to the end of my neighborhood and thought about turning around but then it stopped out of nowhere. Total time of tapping was probably a minute, but it's never done this before. Didn't hear it again after work, it ran fine and sounded fine as normal. I'll start it again in a few hours and of course I'll see what happens tomorrow morning but what do you guys think? Oil looked fine. One thing to note is I checked the oil and coolant before leaving home, and also before leaving work and leaving work I realized I didn't have the coolant check lid on properly. I don't see how that could cause anything thought but anyways, that's all the info I have currently.

 

whats the oil pressure doing

 

It was fine. Also checked the oil, coincidentally before, and when I left work and looked fine. On a related note, the first two times I started it after I got it back the low oil light came on but the pressure was fine so I shut the car off and restarted it and the light was off. That was a week ago I haven't seen the light since.

Edit: Fired it up this morning and no noise to speak of. What are the odds this was some random one off thing? Also is there anything related to not having the coolant check cap on right that could make it happen? For the life of me I can't think of anything lol.

 

Well another update. Went a couple of mornings without hearing anything, then this morning I heard the tapping again. I let it idle in the garage and it faded away after about a minute. Didn't do it this afternoon. It's was definitely noticeable but when I popped the hood I couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from and it was really that loud, just noticeable. If it were an exhaust leak I'd expect to hear it all the time or at least every morning. What are the odds of a lifter or valve cause this after head gasket work and just needing more adjustments?
Also if it were a lifter, should I go ahead and try an additive and then change my oil shortly after. The mechanic did say it'd be a good idea to change my oil in the near future because dirt and what not can get in the engine after a job like this. I also want to note that I'm pretty sure he just used regular Royal Purple 5w30 which is what I told him not completely thinking about it, i always use the HMX high mileage RP 5w30 :/. I want to ask him what he thinks but he hasn't called me back yet.... Sorry for posting so much, I'm kind of thinking out loud on here.

 

If it's the same grade (both 5W-30) then that won't have an effect on it. Use a big screw driver to narrow down where the noise is coming from. Put the screwdriver on something near where you think the noise is coming from and put your ear to the handle. Move around till it gets louder.

 

may need the lifters reset. can get it wrong pretty easy if you do it without engine running.

 

Hopefully the guy calls me back this week. I left a message Thursday and Friday and haven't heard back yet...