Firstly, tell me all that.

And then read on.

"I thought I had an ignition problem, but I'm not so sure... my plugs are fouled, and the car is very weak (at least seems like it).

In the engine bay I can hear a ticking, it's noticeable, and has gotten more noticeable since I got it 4 months ago. i -thought- it was the injectors ticking, but now I'm not sure... can maladjusted valve lash cause these problems? How much of a job is it to adjust them? So get my covers off I think I would have to remove my intake, but from what I hear the car has to be running, any thought?

Am I on the right track, or should I go back to my orignial idea (the bad ignition).

any thoughts?

PS, I don't -believe- the engine has ever been opened up, although I don't know... can they loosen over time?"

So can I adjust it? How do I get my valve covers off? Thanks for your time.

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1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

http://www.xenodrgn.f2s.com/Frontright.jpg

 

I done this twice.
ON a MPFI engine, you remove all the upper & middle intake.
NO other option.
To adjust valves, I've done this way twice with 100% accuracy.
Go get a spark plug adaptor and a compression tester.
Adjust valves to the highest compression reading per cylinder.
The valves are then adjust perfectly.
You could also have a weak oil pump.
The valves, unless touched, never need adjustment. You seem to have an oil pressure problem. What is the constant pressure, when warm?
From the dealer you will need all the gaskets. You'll need the upper and middle intake gasket and valve cover set. No need to touch throttle body set up. Just work with it on the intake. Push it aside.
The cover nuts are 10 mm & the rockers are 15mm.



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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Yeah, but KED, is a weak oil pump going to foul my plugs and cause a weak car? I don't think it would... I guess I'm back to tracking that ignition problem. Thanks for your help though

BTW, I don't have guages, only idiot lights, so I don't know what my pressure is.

Oh yeah, for future reference, what cam/lifter type do I have? solid? hydrolic? Roller?

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1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

http://www.xenodrgn.f2s.com/Frontright.jpg

 

No, what will foul the plugs are worn valve guides.
I was told by my mechinist that these 2.8/3.1/3.4 heads wear out the guides real fast.
That would answer the plugs (I believe).
You have a hydraulic cam.
Reason why I suggeest the pump.
In my S-10 Blazer, I just did a head swap. Adjusted valves, etc.
BUT, because I let the pump sit in chocolate milk (oil/water in pan, head gasket went), the pump went bad. I can only run the truck for about 15 minutes before the valves make noise. And I watch the oil pressure go down from 40 to 0. Then the valves make noise. Real noise. I rebuilt an oil pump (for this truck) and I'm gonna slip it in to make up for that bad pump.

Your responses lead me to believe you may have a bad pump or weak oil pressure.
OR you just may need a rebuild.
Replacing a pump is alot of effort. Adjusting valves, isn't but it's messy, time consuming (gaskets, compression reader).
All kinda band aids for the real solution, engine swap or rebuild time.
I KNOW it's a tough call, but, how lucky do ya feel?
Me & my truck, I'm working with 11 years and over 125,000 miles of ownership on this 1985 S-10 Blazer example. Plus, I did am doing my work, so I know where the problems lie. And I do have gauges to give answers, too.

Does your car overheat or loose/use water alot?
That's another sign of real problems.
Knowing all problems gives ya best solutions.
And cost effective ones, too!
Sorry, but sometimes the answer is not so simple nor easy. Or cheap.
I learned that, too.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

The noise is canstant, not like it's slowly losing pressure. If the pressure was bad... my engine would have blown on the parkway Friday when I went around at 75 in 3rd passing cars... I'm now back to being pretty sure it's the injectors.

I loose no coolant, I don't overheat, and the only oil I loose is from the idiot light sender at the back of the block (that infamous problem).

The plugs arn't fouled with an oily substance... I guess I should have been more specific. The are fouled with a soft sooty/carbony substance.

Thank you for answering my question KED... you've always been a help (when you arn't trying to push the 3.4 swap ).

Perhaps there is something I'm overlooking, anything you can add?

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1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

http://www.xenodrgn.f2s.com/Frontright.jpg

 

Sounds like you are listening for trouble.
I know I am.
I just got my tranny rebuilt.
First I thought the speedo gears were put in wrong (and giving a wrong speed reading).
NOW I KNOW the pump is extra noisy.
Then I turned on the radio and enjoyed how good this car is.
Give your car a good look over and be suspicious of aged parts.
You're way ahead of the game, that way.
Cool, enjoy the ride
IF YA WANNA HAVE FUN
Go get a long thick wooden dowl or long screwdriver.
Put one end on parts of engine, other to your ear.
Listen for the sounds.
You'll know if ya got trouble, that way for sure.
Hey, the 3.4 swap is a fun riding project! Especially with a working tranny.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Hehe. Yup. Exactly.

 

I hear ya, too
Bye!
PS, NEVER SIT NEXT TO A 1960's VW BEETLE.
You'll think your car is coming apart real fast.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

"The valves, unless touched, never need adjustment."

KED85 is wrong on this point, valves ALWAYS need adjusting after 100,000 miles because of wear.

 

KINDA CORRECT!
When was the last time you ever wanted to adjust the valves after 100,000 miles?
HONEST, with today's machining and quality motors, that adjustment is rarely really needed.
Can ya do it as part of maintenance?
Sure.
Like I also say, rebuild your distributor.
Have you, lately?
It's one of those things that you don't fix until it's to late or ya need to.
Same with valves.
Today, it is rare ya truly need to adjust them.
But, I do stand corrected.
This discussion also calls out to Timing Chains.
When was the last time you replaced yours?
I have. And it was worth the effort, too.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA