Engine Lifter Or Rod?

W

Willraylee

New Member

Aug 6, 2015

7

0

1

Jul 3, 2016

#1

• Jul 3, 2016

• #1

Finally have my engine running, but now it has a ticking/knocking noise. When I take the spark plug off the #8 cylinder the noise goes away. Can lifter/ valvetrain issues cause this or am I about to replace rod bearings. Plan to remove valve cover tomorrow just checking for opinions hoping for the best. Engine is efi swapped to carb with duraspark II ignition.

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Jul 3, 2016

#2

• Jul 3, 2016

• #2

yes, valvetrain noise can cause a ticking noise.So can an exhaust leak. A tod or bearing would cause a noise to sound like a washing machine( knocking) more than a tick. I assume you did some recent top end work? Check your valve lash on #8.

 

W

Willraylee

New Member

Aug 6, 2015

7

0

1

Jul 3, 2016

#3

• Jul 3, 2016

• #3

mikestang63 said:

yes, valvetrain noise can cause a ticking noise.So can an exhaust leak. A tod or bearing would cause a noise to sound like a washing machine( knocking) more than a tick. I assume you did some recent top end work? Check your valve lash on #8.

Click to expand...

No top end work, installed '85 distributor, duraspark II ignition, plug wires, and coil. Also Holley blue fuel pump and h-pipe and exhaust.

 

W

Willraylee

New Member

Aug 6, 2015

7

0

1

Jul 4, 2016

#4

• Jul 4, 2016

• #4

Pulled valve cover, # 8 exhaust rocker & pushrod are wiggly.

 

Attachments

• image.webp

  355.2 KB · Views: 194

W

Willraylee

New Member

Aug 6, 2015

7

0

1

Jul 4, 2016

#5

• Jul 4, 2016

• #5

View: https://youtu.be/V2wDbjBYxd8

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Jul 4, 2016

#6

• Jul 4, 2016

• #6

like I thougth, adjust the rockers on #8. Hopefully you dont have a collapsed lifter.

 

W

Willraylee

New Member

Aug 6, 2015

7

0

1

Jul 4, 2016

#7

• Jul 4, 2016

• #7

mikestang63 said:

like I thougth, adjust the rockers on #8. Hopefully you dont have a collapsed lifter.

Click to expand...

Forgive me for being dumb but how? From everything I've read you just tighten the bolt down. It's tight and will not get any tighter. How does the lifter collapse? I removed the rocker arm and pushrod, they seemed undamaged, reinstalled and still same result.

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Jul 4, 2016

#8

• Jul 4, 2016

• #8

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8NW0R0kDiY

 

8

89llx

5 Year Member

Aug 31, 2009

302

5

29

Jul 4, 2016

#9

• Jul 4, 2016

• #9

put some fuel line hose on the dipstick tube, and hold it to your ear, after you start the motor

 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

SN Certified Technician

Mar 2, 2015

6,945

5,816

213

Jul 4, 2016

#10

• Jul 4, 2016

• #10

Willraylee said:

Forgive me for being dumb but how? From everything I've read you just tighten the bolt down. It's tight and will not get any tighter. How does the lifter collapse? I removed the rocker arm and pushrod, they seemed undamaged, reinstalled and still same result.

Click to expand...

I've seen lifters collapse from sitting with the valve open....pressure on the spring, rocker, pushrod, and lifter. The oil bleeds out of the lifter and on start up it refuses to pump up.

Sometimes letting it idle for a while will allow it to pump up. Revving and holding about 1500rpm has worked for me in the past...but usually the tick will still be there on cold start ups.

Better to pull the intake and replace it now than to score the lifter bore. Lifters are cheap....everything else...not so much.