Ok here it i. I have some valve tap on the front side of the head on the driver side. How do i fix this. I was told i could plug the oil inlets on the heads so the oil don't come out. then start the car. and tighten the vavle till it stops. Does that sound right? If not someone tell me how to fix. I though it was an exhaust leak but it never went away after the engine got hot. and it sounds like it is comming from the vavle and not the manifold.

thanks
chuck

 

forget whatever you were told ,it isn't right or you didn't understand it. is it a valve tap or spark knock? to adjust the valves (with engine running) loosen the rocker nut untill you hear the tick then tighten till it stops then go another 1/2 turn more.

 

There's no oil hole in the head to plug. But yes, you could try adjusting the valves; I wouldn't stop at just one.

Remove both valve covers. Oil may go everywhere, so do the rest of this as quickly as possible. Start the engine. Back each rocker off, one at a time, until it starts ticking; then slowly tighten it back until it quits. After you've done all 16 that way, shut the engine off, and tighten each one ½ turn more.

If that doesn't fix it, then there's a bent, broken or worn-out part somewhere. Most likely it's the rocker, which will have a groove worn in it where it goes on the valve. If so, replace them all, I'd recommend teh Comp Magnum roller-tip steel rockers for the best bang for the buck.

 

ok not i understand. shoudl i take the valve cover off before i start the engine? my passanger side is a bitch to get off. the driver side is easy. also should i check the plugs? i think it could be time for new ones anyway

 

Take the valve covers off before you start the engine. Sure, check the plugs too.

 

This way will save you getting oil all over the place:

Remove the valve cover on the side you hear the noise coming from.
Wiggle all the rockers to find the loose one.
Some will be just slightly loose, but look for the obvious loose one or two.

Rotate the engine till the valve is closed on that rocker.
Tighten up that rocker till you just remove the slop. NO MORE.
Do this by rotating the push rod with one hand while slowly tightening the rocker nut with the other. Stop when the push rod JUST becomes snug. Bump the motor over a bit with the starter(disable the spark)and check for other loose ones and repeat.

Put the cover on and start the motor.

Here's a simple rule to get the valve in the right position to adjust it.
When the intake valve JUST CLOSES (on seat) adjust the exhaust.
When the exhaust just starts to open, adjust the intake on that cylinder.
You do not need to go and re-adjust all the valves because they were set right before. All you need to do is reset the loose one.

Be a good idea to inspect any that you find are loose, for obvious wear or damage.

 

Why not just buy the clips that clip onto the rocker, and stop oil from coming out when its running? They worke great for me.

 

I agree with the others that suggest doing ALL of them. If you want to avoid oil "splattering" all over the place there are two methods you can use.

Since you have a carb (I have found TPI cars have too much junk that must be connected for the engine to run while adjusting)...you can use the "adjust with a running engine method as RB suggested. I feel it results in the "quitest" for rockers. Also, if you CAN'T quieten them, then you know you have a mechanical problem like a collapsed lifter.

A long time ago, I found getting an old valve cover like from a wrecking yard and cutting the top off allowed me to adjust the valves without oil splattering all over the place. You don't even have to bolt it down. You are just trying to cut down on the amount of oil spewing all over.

On my TPI car, I can't do this so I have to use the method suggested by F-bird88.

What I do is turn my engine to TDC. I then check the position of the rotor in the distributor. It will either point to #1 or #6.

If it points to #1, you can adjust the valves as follows:

Exhaust: 1, 3, 4, 8
Intake: 1, 2, 5, 7

For #6, you can adjust the following:

Exhaust: 2, 5, 6, 7
Intale: 3, 4, 6, 8

After you have adjusted the valves at that TDC (let's assume #1), then turn the engine over 360*, and do the other (#6).

To adjust the pushrod, I just spin the pushrod until I cannot spin it any more. This is zero lash. Then I add 1/2 - 3/4 turn more. If you don't add enough, you may still hear "ticking". I've just been there where someone convinced me "1/2-3/4 more was wrong and too much" and I had to re-adjust all my rockers it ticked so bad.