bolandmi

So I took a long highway trip in my 85 T/A and for the past couple weeks there has been a wierd ticking noise coming from the engine. When you get to a more steady speed it seems to quiet down. The idle has been really uneasy lately as well. I thought the timing was off or a plug was gone er something but some old guy, I don't know if he was a mechanic er something but he told me that he figured from the sound that it was one of the rocker arms. I have no idea what it is, anyone have any advice?

SpitotRs305

sure pull the valve covers and take a peak see if you can find one that is ticking

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

uh oh. Hope you're not wiping lobes off your cam.

Pull both valve covers and give the rockers a wiggle. Some (the ones on the base circle will be loose), but if they are VERY loose, then check that. Make sure all studs are the same height, put a straight edge over them.
If all checks out, start it up with valve covers off (wear a raincoat, you'se a gonna get wet!). Then see where the sound is.

eschevyrda

could be an exhaust manifold gasket that blew.

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

I hope you find out what the problem is because my 86 camaro is doing the same thing. The ticking is really noticable right after I start my car. but seems to go away when I get going 40mph plus. I can't be sure because my car is very loud. I've tried to find out where the noise was comming from but its not really noticable under the hood. All I hear is the injectors firing. But when you get into the car you can hear the ticking noise.

rhamm1320

I agree it could be exhaust leak too. Look at everything before you start tearing into the whole engine and get to a point of no return.

I had a leak where my headers meet the heads and it sounded like a rocker had fallen off. It was at the track in between rounds. A friend in the stands said he overheard comments that several in the stands said the rocker was off. When it went low 11 that round, he overheard them say "guess not"

strokermotor91

If it was an exhaust leak, the ticking noise wouldn't get quieter when he rev'd the motor up. It would get louder. Its getting quieter because the lifter is getting more oil to it, and it dampens the sound.