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76 Chevy Engine Tick... Panic?


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Hulowski
New User

May 29, 2007, 10:57 PM

Post #1 of 2 (1397 views)
post icon 76 Chevy Engine Tick... Panic? Sign In

Okay basically im somewhat freakin out... but not really since its just a beater truck.

I have a 1976 Chevy half ton... 350 w/a 4 bbl carb.

I recently decided to replaced the valve cover gaskets because they leak. i got the drivers side apart and saw that the push rods and rocker arms were slugged up with oil really bad so i took them all out, cleaned them up and reinstalled them. I got everything back together, started it up and now theres an engine tick coming from inside the valve cover.

Im pretty sure the push rods and rocker arms are all seated properly, and i made sure not to get them mixed up with eachother. The only thing i never did was torque the rocker arms, i just kind of winged it. I basically just tighted the rocker arms til they couldnt move side to side. Im just wondering, could overtightening or undertightening the rocker arms cause a ticking noise?

Thanks


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 30, 2007, 6:36 AM

Post #2 of 2 (1394 views)
Re: 76 Chevy Engine Tick... Panic? Sign In

Too late now but you should have left the sludge and rockers alone. You can only "wing it" with the engine running. Otherwise you set each pair when on TDC. I forget exactly but the pre set for these was something like bottom out gently the nut to rocker and back off six turns.

At this point and age of and condition of engine I would just get each cylinder on TDC one at a time. Loosen adjustment till they just have some lash and tighten till you have no lash and pushrod will show resistance and go perhaps one turn more.

You should check all of them now. If one is too tight it will burn that valve and make a project you may not want to do for this truck.

Leaky valve covers are frequently because PCV system can not overcome blow-by so it should be cleaned up - PCV and vacuum hose. To remove sludge already there but too late probably, just change the oil way too frequently and it will remove sludge slowly. Doing a flush or anything that speeds its removal may just send off chunks that will plug things up and the item that doesn't get any oil will fail - start of game over.

These engines were tough and you could get some more good life out of it. Adjust those valves again is your best bet now,

T







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