Ok, car started making a knockin noise that stayed with the RPM's of the engine. The knockin can turn into a sqeakin noise also if the engine runs for a long period (10 min or so). A friend told me it sounds like a rocker is not getting oil.

So i took the valve covers off. The last rocker on the passenger side (cyl 8) is not getting any oil. So i took the rocker arm off. Looked at the pushrod and it was clogged. I couldent see through it. I took a wire and cleaned it out. Re-installed it, started the engine..same problem. Took it back off and then switched it with a different pushrod from cyl 4 to see if it was the pushrod or something else. With another pushrod on cylinder 8, it was still not getting oil and the other cylinder i swapped pushrods with was getting plenty of oil, so that rules out a pushrod problem.

So then i checked the pushrod on cyl. 8 again, remember that this is a different one, and it was clogged just like the other one was before. So now what do i look at? Lifter problem?

Im just tryin to get this thing on the road again, this is my first f-body. Im only 17 so im not nearly as knowledable as most people on this site and i get some good info on this site so i figured id make a post.

Oh yea, it is a 89 forumla 350 with a engine from 87 trans am if that helps at all.

 

You sure the knocking noise isn't more of a loud ticking? A collapsed lifter will cause that noise and likely no oil thru the pushrod.

 

You'll probably want to get the intake off so you can inspect the lifter.

 

Yea i guess you can also describe it as a loud ticking noise. And i guess the next thing i will be doing is pulling that intake off. Ahh this sucks, just got the new motor in..and already tearing it apart, but oh well, it will be worth it. And what exactly should i look for when inspecting the lifter to know whether it is bad or not?

 

IF you can get the lifter out of its bore, you can replace it without pulling the intake, its not the easiest thing, but it can be done.

 

Even on a factory roller block? How do you get the spider out first?

 

And how exactly do i go about doing that? What do i need?

 

sorry, i am a , i just realized your motor has roller lifters, when i first read you post, i thought you had a 86 ,... you will have to pull the intake to pull the lifter.

i guess i should add, let the flames start.
thanks for pointing that out to me Apeiron

 

Well..I replaced the lifter. Put everything back on, and what do u know, still having the same problem, that rocker is not getting any oil, im about to go crazy. Anyone else have any suggestions as what to do now?

 

i bet you are getting oil. look at the ball to see if it shows signs of not getting oil. it doesn't have to spray oil on the inner fender to have enough oil to lubricate the rocker and cool the springs.

 

No its not getting oil. All the other ones are getting oil, its not alot but they are getting some. But this one rocker is bone dry. I was looking down into the valley threw the heads with a flashlight and the engine running, and the lifter i replaced doesnt seem to be pumping oil like all the other ones.

 

Last rocker on passenger side not getting oil, new lifter, clean pushrod - plugged oil galley in the block maybe? Sounds like the engine needs a hot-tanking anyway

 

Where is this oil gallery in the block? Also i have a question, this might be very dumb but oh well. Where the lifter sits, is there like a oil passage right there? Or how does the oil get to the lifters? And if so, maybe it is clogged right where that lifter is and thats why its not getting oil?

 

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