Ok, I got a 305 TBI Engine. It has alot of miles and It ticks. Can the valves be adjusted?? I heard they cant be. but some say it could be alot of build up dirt in the valve covers... so I'm gonna pull the valve covers but is there any tricks to getting them off? the passenger side seems tricky and how can i clean the gunk out of the heads?? also when im driving the car hot or cold starting at 30 up to 60 it seems to be shifting into a lower gear. but the rpms jump back up after a second or two. almost like the torque converter is locking. its not shifting into OD b.c like i said i could be going 60 and the rpms will drop and the engine will "lug" then if i let off and hit the gas slightly the rpms will be up to where they should be. The trans fluid is full. i asked a few ppl and they said maybe a dist. cap cracked?? Please help

 

The valves can be adjusted, but don't over tighten them. No tricks to the valve covers, just take the bolts out and remove them. You might have to pry them a bit with a screwdriver to get them loose and move a few emissions lines, etc. As for the lugging, sounds like the torque converter locking up which should be normal. My S-10 does the same thing. Never heard of dirt making a lifter tick. Probably wont be much gunk in the heads and valve covers anyway, so I'd just wipe them up with a clean rag, don't use any decreasing solvent or chemicals. Today's oil doesn't leave a lot of sludge buildup like oil did back in the day. Hope this helps.