Removed VC and there's a loose rocker arm

Methodical · Oct 17, 2005

Ok I have a question. Last night I loaded a new TwEECer tune to my car and went out for a drive to datalog the new tune. So I pull up behind a corvette at a light. When the light changed he puched it. So I said ok I've got to see what my rebuilt Stang can do. So we get on a road with 3 lanes and no lights. While rolling - I downshifted to 3rd - we take off and ... well lets say I represented the Little Ole Pony mighty well (you guys would be proud). I could not believe I pulled on him as I did - maybe he don't know how to drive. And he could not catch me. I can only imagined what the guy in the vette was thinking after the Little Ole Pony spanked him.

Oh back to the question. After the race I heard a strange sound coming from the driver side valve cover. I limped home (was only a couple of miles away) and after the car cooled, I removed the vc and the the last rocker arm nut on drivers side was off. There's no damage to either part (whew). Also, I checked all spark plugs and they are all normal. Also when I pulled the upper intake I noticed some oil on the back half (last 4 runners) of the lower intake (edelbrock rpm). Question?

1. Could there be some unseen damaged to the motor? What else should I check?

2. Or should I just put the rocker on, adjust and be on my merry way?
Thanks any insight. Peace

CManT1914 · Oct 17, 2005

Oil in the intake is normal. Oil from the PCV valve gets sucked through, and the screen does a crappy job of filtering it, so it continues through the intake and into the combustion chamber where it's burned. An oil seperator should fix this.

You'll want to do a compression test on that cylinder at least, and make sure you didn't jack something up by that rocker coming loose. I can't remember, is that the intake or exhaust valve? If it's the intake valve, you should be okay. But if it's the exhaust valve and it stuck closed, you could be in trouble. Nowhere for that exhaust pressure to go after being burnt could mean blown head gasket. But I doubt that's the case since you said you drove home fine. You're probably good, just run a compression test and be sure! Good luck, and great job spanking that vette!

Methodical · Oct 17, 2005

CManT1914 said:
Oil in the intake is normal. Oil from the PCV valve gets sucked through, and the screen does a crappy job of filtering it, so it continues through the intake and into the combustion chamber where it's burned. An oil seperator should fix this.

You'll want to do a compression test on that cylinder at least, and make sure you didn't jack something up by that rocker coming loose. I can't remember, is that the intake or exhaust valve? If it's the intake valve, you should be okay. But if it's the exhaust valve and it stuck closed, you could be in trouble. Nowhere for that exhaust pressure to go after being burnt could mean blown head gasket. But I doubt that's the case since you said you drove home fine. You're probably good, just run a compression test and be sure! Good luck, and great job spanking that vette!

What would be a sympton that the valve could be stuck open or closed?

sage2k · Oct 17, 2005

dude your sig is huge maybe you should put your mods next to each other instead of on top of each other

Methodical · Oct 17, 2005

sage2k said:
dude your sig is huge maybe you should put your mods next to each other instead of on top of each other

You've read my mind. I had planned to do just that. But I am now focused on the RR issue. Thanks

94 Cobra 5.0 · Oct 17, 2005

if the valve was stuck open you will have no compression on that cylinder. if the valve was stuck closed the valve itself may be stuck in the valve guide causing it not to open, or the rocker isnt adjusted properly. hope that answers your question.

CManT1914 · Oct 17, 2005

Well it's not likely the valve is still stuck. I was just referring to not having it tightened down while the motor was running, the valve might not open properly causing that exhaust stroke to push out the exhaust some other means (through the head gasket). But do a compression test anyway, and seriously, you're probably fine. You could also do a leak down test as well just for added comfort.

final5-0 · Oct 17, 2005

First thing I wanna know is ........................

You runnin studs or peds.

Grady

CManT1914 · Oct 17, 2005

final5-0 said:
First thing I wanna know is ........................

You runnin studs or peds.

Grady

Betcha $10 they're stud mount!

EDIT: Nevermind, I thought I saw some Eddy heads in there, I think they're stock pedestals.
EDIT: Just saw it was a Cobra, not sure if those are stud or pedestal mounts from the factory so I'm just gonna shut the hell up now.

Methodical · Oct 18, 2005

Last night I reinstalled the rocker arm check the others (all ok) and took her for a ride. Everything is good. But I will keep a keen eye on it. Oh by the way it is stud mount. WhEEEEw. Thanks for the help. Peace

Methodical · Oct 18, 2005

Methodical said:
Last night I reinstalled the rocker arm check the others (all ok) and took her for a ride. Everything is good. But I will keep a keen eye on it. Oh by the way it is stud mount. WhEEEEw. Thanks for the help. Peace

It was the intake rocker.

final5-0 · Oct 18, 2005

Stud mount .......................
that was what I expected you to say.

Maybe this tip will help.

If you tighten the nut & lock together the last 1/8 turn of your desired adjustment you will end up with the lock being much tighter that you can get it by just using the allen wrench alone.

Grady

WhiteDevil · Oct 18, 2005

Yeah i have had a couple of my stud rockers come loose on my over the past year and a half. Sounds like a good idea, to tighten it the last little bit together.

Methodical · Oct 18, 2005

final5-0 said:
Stud mount .......................
that was what I expected you to say.

Maybe this tip will help.

If you tighten the nut & lock together the last 1/8 turn of your desired adjustment you will end up with the lock being much tighter that you can get it by just using the allen wrench alone.

Grady

You know I did that when I initially installed them. I was told that by a guy at the speed shop. Maybe I forgot that one. It was the last one. I don't know. But I'm glad there's no bottom end damage. Thanks for the help

CManT1914 · Oct 18, 2005

Methodical said:
You know I did that when I initially installed them. I was told that by a guy at the speed shop. Maybe I forgot that one. It was the last one. I don't know. But I'm glad there's no bottom end damage. Thanks for the help

Glad to hear you got it fixed! Also glad to hear I was right about the stud mount the first time, lol.

Methodical · Oct 19, 2005

CManT1914 said:
Glad to hear you got it fixed! Also glad to hear I was right about the stud mount the first time, lol.

Thanks

94Blue302GT · Oct 19, 2005

I just had this happen recently too. Made so much pressure it liften the heads (one apparently wasn't bolted down to spec anymore) and I had to tear the whole thing down, just after rebuilding it. Now i have locktite on all my rocker bolts. Stock heads, so i guess that's pedestal? I guess i don't know the difference.

final5-0 · Oct 19, 2005

94Blue302GT said:
I just had this happen recently too. Made so much pressure it liften the heads (one apparently wasn't bolted down to spec anymore) and I had to tear the whole thing down, just after rebuilding it. Now i have locktite on all my rocker bolts. Stock heads, so i guess that's pedestal? I guess i don't know the difference.

Yes, your stock heads are peds and most of the oem iron Ford heads you will find are peds as well.

Stud mount rr's have a hole in the center for the stud from the head. The adjustment nut is secured with an allen screw locking device.

All of that hardware sits a bit higher than the ped rr's which is the reason you see what sems to be, thousands of ...... "which vc" threads, lol.

Theres a pic or two of my Scorpion stud mount rr's on my site Take a look and you will quickly see the difference.

Grady

Methodical · Oct 19, 2005

final5-0 said:
Yes, your stock heads are peds and most of the oem iron Ford heads you will find are peds as well.

Stud mount rr's have a hole in the center for the stud from the head. The adjustment nut is secured with an allen screw locking device.

All of that hardware sits a bit higher than the ped rr's which is the reason you see what sems to be, thousands of ...... "which vc" threads, lol.

Theres a pic or two of my Scorpion stud mount rr's on my site Take a look and you will quickly see the difference.

Grady

Hey Grady I just look at your website and it indicates that you have an 80mm MAF and 65mm TB. You may want to update your sig (smiles).

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