Yeah the compressor turns easily, I can hear it suck and push. I sealed and boxed it up. If the four seasons new comp I just installed fails then this oem GM gets a new clutch and goes back in, I saved the old condenser to since no debris.
I have the ticking too and even when warmed up it ticks at idle.This 8.1 has been noisy ticky on cold start up, esp if has been sitting a few days. Commonly 20 to 40 seconds. I just added a pint of Mavel mystery oil to the crank case. Hasn't been started since last Saturday. Fired right up, listening with hood open the ticking was there as expected but it went away fast maybe 10-15 seconds. We'll see what the next cold start does in a day or two.
Thought maybe you were towing the burb.Not this one. I'm taking the 77 k20 burb
Turn the boost up!Got my Hptunners MVPi3 today and 2 credits, have installed the VCM software, sync'd device. Hope fully get some time to play with it on the burb tomorrow.
any tips tricks do's or do not do are great appreciated

Goat Rope is a great resource. Go to his channel and find the Gen 3 playlist of videos.Goat rope garage on YouTube. Very easy to follow and understand videos.