I'm hearing a sound like my valves aren't adjusted but I've adjusted em twice with the engine running. It gets quicker with engine rpm. I'm almost thinking it's a lifter??? It's sounds exactly like a loose rocker.

Don't be so quick to change out the lifters. I put in a new engine and replaced the lifters only to find that it was an exhaust leak. The manifold gasket tore and was leaking. There was no black powder/residue because my engine was running fine. I took off the gaskets on my vehicle, and the noise stopped. Get a piece of water heater hose and put one end to your ear and move the other end around the manifold area this will help you find if it's leaking. If it isn't do the same to the rockers you'll be able to find which one is knocking. But check the exhaust manifold. It's easier to fix.

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1979 - 305ci
Holley 750cfm Vacuum Sec.
Edelbrock Performer Intake

Is there a way to tell if a lifter is messed up? I know the rocker sounds like it's the #6 intake when I was adjusting em while it was running. But the noise doesn't stop no matter how much I turn it down that's why I'm thinking it's the lifter.

Sorry to be a spoil sport but it sounds like you got a flat cam lobe and worn out lifter bottom. If you remove the lifter and it has a slot wore in it, the lobe is flat.

The lifter looks good...perfectly flat. Both sides are rocking when it's running (I made sure to look). The one side is just making this noise. Anyone else got a clue??? Maybe the valve spring????

I'm almost thinking a spun bearing but I don't know what they sound like.

I found a bad lifter once by seeing no oil to a rocker arm, runnung with the covers off.

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76 Camaro/mild 350 .030/M21/Z28 body parts/lotsa other goodies

You don't say what engine, but why are you adjusting them with the engine running, I would think it would be hard to properly preload then when they are moving.

XK1
I thought there wasn't any oil coming to the rocker but I think it might be getting oil up there??? I don't know, I'm clueless! I think I'll just replace the lifter and see. if that don't work I'll do the springs I guess.

Piranha
It's just a standard crappy rebuilt block. Nothing special. Thing is on all the SBCs I've worked on I've never been able to get an acurate rocker setting doing it manually. At least with a hyrolic (sp?) cam, I just get em close manually so it'll start then fine tune em running. I was taught to do it running so it's pretty much second nature.

Here's how you do it, use a standard 5/8 socket (not deep) and a 1' extension. Slowly back it off til they start ticking then go down forward til it barely stops then a 1/4 turn. Perfect everytime. I also just found a set of 16 oil deflector clips at Autozone ($10) so you don't make such a mess. I do it outdoors too cause you'll have oil burning all over the headers.

i modified a pair of srock valve covers for adjusting the valves on a running small block. i just cut them in half and bent the top up so that when i bolt it on the outside bolts, it stops ALL the oil. i prefer adjusting the valves with it running and warmed up. i just tighten it until it stops clattering,then move on to the next one. after i am done, i shut it off and give all of them a half turn. done. never had a problem doing it this way.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

A slightly bent pushrod can make the same noise. I assume it is rotating normally with the engine running? If it isn't rotating, then the lobe is going flat. You can roll the pushrod over something flat like a piece of plate glass and see if it rolls smoothly.
You can also check for a soft lifter by pushing with your fingers on the pushrod side of the rocker arm (back off the rocker nut to seat the valve). Hydraulic lifters have the slightest amount of "mush" at this point...a bad lifter will usually (but not always) depress considerably more this way. I hope that made sense.

I do have a spare set of pushrods but they're the hardened ones (comps at like $30 a set) and these heads are stock. Is that a problem? No guideplates.

travis
The lifter is actually firm like the rest of em. I got the intake off right now cause I was just gonna replace the lifter but if that's not it....I guess I won't. Anything else you can think of besides the pushrods making the noise?

novaderrik
Thats a great idea. Or I could even just cut out a rectangle hole in an old set of covers. I like your seats in the nova too. How do you like em? Do they sit up taller than the stock buckets?
I've been looking for some decent seats for the camaro, I was thinking about just buying some Scat ones but they're expensive. I did try a couple of junk yard seats but they sat up taller.

Thanks all for the help.


PS I did check the headers...no leaks.

[This message has been edited by SS67muscle (edited 01-28-2002).]

SS67- i like the seats. they offer good support and are adjustable in every way you can imagine. i think they are from a Mazda 626- but i don't know the year. i got them from a guy i went to school with that took them out of a car about 6 months before i saw them. paid $40 for the pair. they used to sit pretty high, but i modified the brackets and made my own floor mounts with some 1" angle iron.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

I chased valvetrain noise on an engine before, adjusted them with the engine off and the engine running....swore it was a lifter.....found out different though....the lifter type noise was actually a bad mechanical fuel pump.....the return spring in the pump had broken and I guess the pump pushrod was hammering back and forth...changed pumps and noise was gone....just something else to check if Ya still have the problem....
BTW....I could actually feel the old pump "hammering" in sync with the noise...

Could you have a rocker arm stud pulling out? Pressed in studs have a habit of slowly working there way loose with high-perf cams. Also I like to adjust my rockers 1/2 turn past zero lash. 1/4 turn is kind of on the loose side IMO but I've heard people talk about liking anything from 1/4 to 3/4 turn past zero lash.

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68 Camaro, 383 small block with TH350 trans. 11.98's at 111mph and never trailered.

[This message has been edited by Eric68 (edited 01-29-2002).]

Well I just put the intake back on and now it won't start. Always something! It's a rebuilt stock camed 350 with stock heads and I'm kinda amazed how much trouble it's giving me. I'm about ready to go buy a brand new 350 but this thing ain't that old....I need this car it's my daily ride.

I checked the spark and there's very little spark coming out. Got fuel though. So I guess I'll have to check the coil and module. I'm running a HEI.

HELP ME.......lol I'm frustrated

It might need a new cap wires etc...any suggestions on LONG LASTING gear? All the distributor stuff is less than 5000 miles old and shouldn't need replacing (I think?)