Im still trying to figure out this clacking noise. The reason I don't think its internal anymore is because its moved from the passenger to the driver side now. Probably because I feel its a failed rocker. I got another set lined up this weekend (comp magnums, self aligning 1.6). The reason I think its a rocker is because I backed it off and the clacking seemed to have faded, so it may be more than one, this rocker was pretty chewed up. Im just curious if anyone in here who had non-self aligning rockers and didn't install guide plates got a nasty clacking, like the rocker arm hitting the spring retainer, im wondering if thats what my noise is.

I had a similar failure mode, AFR guideplate cracked and allowed the pushrod to deflect in one direction. It was pretty obvious when I removed the rocker, there were contact marks on one side of the rocker near the roller tip and the wear pattern on the valvestem face was roughly triangular instead of rectangular.

I'n not sure if this is a misprint or not but you cannot use non-self aligning rockers without guide plates. If you did, the rocker would come off. Now it it doesn't come off then yes you would get a nasty noise coming from them since they would be basically bouncing around. From what I've heard you should be able to tell if it is a rocker. Check for contact marks on the rocker, on the valve and retainer, and the push rod may show strange wear marks on the sides.

Im not using them buddy, im just wondering if that is what makes the clacking noise. Just trying to figure out if indeed a rocker is hitting the spring retainer causing the clacking .

Wiat, I understand what your saying. I definatley have some wear on 2 of them, two are chewed up pretty good but nowhere where the pushrod meats, one has a little chew near the roller tip. Im just praying its not a bent valve and the noise I hear is the piston slapping it =/.