I have been hearing a loud ticking coming from the engine for quite a while now. i always thought it was an exhuast leak. Well after about two months of searching for a leak i've come to the conclusion that there is none. A friend suggestion it might be valve lash (which i hadn't even thought of), and the noise does seem to be coming from under the valve covers, so how do i check this this, and fix it? what tools will i be needing? you rhelp is greatly appreciated...

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http://www.racer-x.f2s.com/proc/vlash.htm

 

remove valve cover, with engine running, loosen a rocker nut untill you hear it "ticking" tighten untill it goes away and then another 1/2 to 3/4 turn. then move on to the next valve. it's messy because of all the oil.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

with the exception of oil, i like ede's idea, that way i won;t have to find tdc and all that bullsh*t. thanks for the help guys

 

If you don't want to get oil everywhere, go the the junkyard and get a set of cheap stamped steel valve covers and cut the tops off. Put them on temporarily while you lash the valves and put your regular covers back on when you're done.

 

wow, that's a great idea!! there jsut happens to be on old camaro with a complete engine sitting in the local yard too, thanks for that suggestion, and keep em coming

 

You need a 9/16 deep socket with a 2-3 inch extention. Same as Ede with the exception of
3/4 turn is too much. Use 1/4 turn and possibly 1/2 turn as a maximum. I'd reccomend poly lock nuts to keep them from loosining again. Also, when you find the noisy one, turn the car off, count the number of turns taking the nut off, pull the push rod out and roll it on a flat surface to check if it's bent, and check the rocker for an oblonged hole or damage. If there is rocker damage, blow through the push rod, if it's pluged, there's your problem.

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...or you can get a set of oil deflector clips that stick on the rockers right at the oil holes over the push rod end. I've had fairly good success with these as long as the engine isn't revved too high with them on.

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Vader
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vader,
how much would the oil deflector things be? and high is to high to rev with them?

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It shouldn't matter "how high is to high to rev" you are only adjusting the rockers, not making a 1/4 mile pass. You shouldn't even touch the gas. Idle will do just fine.

1/4 turn is not enough, but do definatly look for the source of the problem. It may just a backed off nut, or it could be deeper (bad lifter, bent pushrod, bad rocker, etc...)

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I agree with GMTech, give them more than 1/4 turn or you'll hear alot of tapping (not to be confused with ticking fuel injectors) because they're too loose. Most sources I have read say 3/4 to 1 full turn; just don't overdo it. I would go at least 1/2.

 

thanks for everyones help, this weekend id the first time im gonna have to get into it though, i'm not doing any serious damage driving it like this am i?

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I seriously doubt it. Good luck!

 

thats what i figured, thanks!

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P.S. go the 3/4-1 full turn, but do it slowly, you need to let the lifter "bleed down". If you turn it to fast, you will hold the valve off the seat momentarily.

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
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ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
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Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

The best way is to find zero lash as ede describes for all of them, which is the point at which they quit ticking, but don't put any further preload on them as you are adjusting them. Then after you've zero-lashed all 16 of them, turn the engine off and go around the motor and put your choice of preload on them all. That way you don't stall the motor while tightening them. I usually use about ½ turn past zero so that they stay within their range for a good while. The least amount possible past zero is best for extended high-RPM use as this limits the lifter's ability to "pump up" since they're already pumped up as far as they can go. For street use this is not a good idea though.

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Ok, so lets just make sure i got this straight. With old covers with the tops cut off, start the motor, and loosen a rocker until it ticks, then tighten it until it goes away, and repeat for all 16 rockers. then shut the motor off and go back around and tighten each bolt an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn. is this right???

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That ought to do it!

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alright!

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Just wondering if the procedure is the same for roller rockers vs. stamped.

Thanks
Mike