Six cylinder valve tap?

[notmycity]

I’m having second thoughts on converting this puppy to V-8 due to escalating fuel costs and some temporary time constraints.

Here’s the situation.......

This 292 six stills runs super strong and gets grrrreat milage (20mpg+), but because of the high miles and less than decent maintenance by its previous owner it taps like many old six’s we’ve all heard. I’m thinkin’ the cost-effective and quickest solution for now is just to replace the cylinder head. Any thoughts please? Thanks...

[Bryan68custom]

You may just try adjusting the valves, sometimes it will suprise you at the amount of slop in the valve train.

[notmycity]

Thanks Bryan. I didn't think these were adjustable....or is it a simple matter of checking for slack in the rockers and tightening them down a bit?

[Bryan68custom]

If you are not really sure I would suggest that you purchase a chilton's book or a haynes. you can get them at most part's stores. it,s kinda hard for me to explain how to adjust them, I do it a little different than the book say's. With your engine warm pull the valve cover,and slowly turn over motor by hand until you have both valves closed on one cyl. then adjust the nuts down until you have a slight drag on the pushrod. then go 1/4 to 1/2 turn more this should get you close.

[notmycity]

Yep. That's pretty much how we used to do it....it's coming back to me now. Also, I already have a Chilton but have found that some folks know stuff that Chilto doesn't cover. Thanks...

[oldsub86]

If you are going to adjust the valves, why not throw in a new set of lifters? They aren't expensive and may be causing your tapping noise.

[notmycity]

Agreed.....which brings me back to the original question of whether I should just replace the entire head while I'm in there. A little more pricey, but for about 200.00 I'll know I have a tight top end.......machined and all. There's no smoke... or knock from the block so I'm thinkin' it's in good shape....

['68OrangeSunshine]

I got by for a long time on my last engine just by going to 50 weight oil. It went over 250,000. The L6 has adjustable valves and hydraulic lifters. Re-setting may help.

[notmycity]

Sounds good. I'm going to adjust them this weekend and try to undo some of the "mickey-mouse" stuff that a previous owner had done to it

Appreciate all the advice...

[pickup6772]

Here's The Easiest Way To Adjust Them. First, Get Yourself A Set Of Oil Deflector Clips, And A Valve Cover Gasket. With The Engine At Operating Temperature, Remove The Valve Cover, And Install The Clips On The Rocker Arms On The Pushrod Side. Start The Truck Up. Starting At The Front Rocker, Back Off The Adjusting Nut Just Till You Hear The Rocker "clatter". Next, Tighten The Nut Till The Clatter Goes Away. Next, Tighten The Nut 1/4 Turn At A Time, Pausing 15 Second Between Each Turn To Let The Engine Smooth Out, Until You Have Tightened It One Full Turn. Continue To The Next Valve, And Repeat The Process Till All The Valves Are Done.shut Down The Engine, Remove The Clips, And Reinstall The Valve Cover Using The New Gasket, And Your Done. At This Time It Would Be Wise To Change The Oil And Filter. Check For Leaks, "gunk" The Engine, So Everything Is Nice, And Clean, And Have Yourself A Nice Long Drive.

[notmycity]

Yep. There's another method I remember using back in the day.....Thanks.....

[Fred T]

Adjust the lifters, and when you change the oil add a quart of Rislone. It's a high detergent additive that helps clean out the lifters.

[notmycity]

Originally Posted by Fred T

Adjust the lifters, and when you change the oil add a quart of Rislone. It's a high detergent additive that helps clean out the lifters.

Thanks for the added tip. I adjusted some of the tapping out this past weekend following my Chilton "engine-off", but some remains. I thought I'd give it a go with the motor running for one more attempt....oh and I did change the oil too....