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Mechanic Dave Miller says a design change in 2009-and-later 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8s may leave lifters without an oiling opening found in an earlier Hemi design. He is developing a modified lifter as a potential remedy, but the fix has not been independently validated or shown to resolve the problem in long-term use.
Mechanic Dave Miller says he may have identified why some 2009-and-later 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8s develop a persistent ticking noise: a change to the engine block may have removed an opening that lets oil reach the lifters. Miller, who runs Hemi Garage Hacks, is developing a modified lifter he believes could address the lubrication problem, but the proposed fix has not yet been established as a tested or proven repair.
In a video described by The Drive, Miller compares the lifter area inside an earlier Hemi with that of a later engine using a borescope. He points to a small opening in the earlier engine that he says allows oil to reach the lifter as it moves. In the later engine, he says, that opening is absent. The limited camera view is not a full engineering inspection, and the interpretation of what it shows is Miller’s.
Miller links the difference to a block redesign for later engines, which he says accommodates a longer camshaft snout required for variable valve timing. He argues that the lifter and cam-journal arrangement remained similar despite the change. The Drive reports that Miller also demonstrated oil flowing from a gap on a lifter test bench after loosening a bolt by one-quarter turn. That demonstration supports his view that the gap can pass oil; it does not, by itself, establish how much oil reaches each lifter inside an operating engine.
The suspected failure sequence begins when a lifter’s roller needle bearings do not receive enough lubrication. If the bearings break down, the roller can stop turning properly and the camshaft lobe can wear away, producing a ticking sound. Continued damage can lead to a misfire and, if the engine is not repaired, more extensive work. Miller says his proposed modified lifter is intended to improve oil delivery. The report does not give a release date, final specifications, price, or results from a controlled durability test.
A Potential Route to Prevent Lifter Damage
For owners of affected Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, the reported mechanism matters because a ticking engine may signal damage that grows more costly if ignored. If Miller’s explanation is borne out and a practical lifter modification proves durable, it could offer engine builders and owners another repair option beyond replacing worn components after failure. At this stage, though, it is a proposed approach, not a confirmed preventive fix.
The distinction matters when making repair decisions. A sound alone does not establish that an engine has this particular failure, and the report does not say that every later Hemi will develop it. Owners should seek a qualified mechanic’s diagnosis rather than assume the video identifies the cause of a specific vehicle’s noise. A repair involving internal engine components should be handled by a qualified professional.
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How the Hemi Tick Develops
The Drive describes lifter-related ticking in some 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemis built from 2009 onward, across several Stellantis brands. In the reported failure pattern, a worn cam lobe and damaged lifter roller can produce a regular ticking noise. The publication says the problem has been associated with the valvetrain, while the precise cause has been difficult to pin down.
Miller says he has rebuilt more than 2,000 Hemi engines during his time as a mechanic. That experience informs his theory, but his repair history is not a substitute for independent testing of the proposed design change. The Drive also reports that Miller has set up a GoFundMe for the project. At the time of its report, donations totaled $4,369 toward a $5,000 goal; that figure is a snapshot from publication, not a current fundraising total.
““I found the HEMI Problem and a Solution!””
— Dave Miller, Hemi Garage Hacks
Testing Needed Before the Fix Is Proven
The report does not include independent engineering analysis confirming that the missing opening is the cause of the lifter failures, nor does it provide controlled test results for Miller’s proposed modification. It is also unclear how broadly the design difference applies across engine versions and production years, whether other conditions contribute to failures, or what exact changes the modified lifter will make. The borescope footage and test-bench demonstration are evidence supporting Miller’s theory, but they do not establish real-world longevity or prevent future damage.
No final product availability, installation procedure, price, warranty terms or independent customer results are reported. The fundraising amount is limited to the time The Drive published its account. Owners should not treat the proposal as a recall, manufacturer-approved repair or guarantee that a ticking engine can be fixed without further diagnosis.
Development and Validation Ahead
Miller is continuing work on a modified lifter and has sought donations to support the project. The next meaningful evidence would be detailed specifications and testing that show whether the design increases oil delivery and withstands sustained engine use. The report does not give a schedule for those milestones or say when the part might be available.
For owners hearing a tick, the practical next step is diagnosis by a mechanic familiar with the engine, particularly if the noise is accompanied by misfires or other running problems. Until testing and results are published, Miller’s explanation should be regarded as a promising but unverified theory, and the proposed part as a development project rather than an established repair.
Key Questions
Which Hemi engines does the report discuss?
The report focuses on 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8s built from 2009 onward, used in Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. It does not establish that every engine in those groups has the same failure.
What does Miller think causes the ticking?
Miller says a later engine-block design lacks an oiling opening he sees in an earlier Hemi. He believes reduced oil delivery can damage the lifter roller bearings, allowing the camshaft lobe to wear. That explanation has not been independently confirmed in the report.
Has the modified lifter been proven to fix the problem?
No. Miller is developing the part, but the report provides no controlled durability results or independent confirmation that it prevents lifter and camshaft damage.
What should an owner do if a Hemi is ticking?
Have the vehicle diagnosed by a qualified mechanic rather than assuming the sound has one cause. The report describes possible progression to misfire and greater engine damage, but a noise alone does not confirm the specific failure Miller describes.
Source: thedrive.com
