Insane Valve Issue

[chevylookin]

Hello all,
I just replaced the spark plugs and changed the oil on my '89 Carb'd Chevy 350. I replaced the conventional plugs with platinum types. On my last oil change (about 2000 miles or so ago) I ran a quart of Marvel in with the oil as the engine is getting up there in the unknown mileage. I did a slight timing and carb adjustment and everything was running great! I jumped in her, and took her around the block (73 Blazer). Within half a mile, I started getting vale train noise and by the time I got home, it sounded like a hail storm. Thinking it could be a loose plug that didnt go in all the way I started checking. Found one loose one as they are hard to confirm "all the way in and tight" with the headers in the way. Tighten it up. Same thing. Started to remove the new plugs and found half of them had changed their gaps because the electrode tabs are too thin. Replaced with old plugs. Same thing. Removed the valve covers and I can literally push almost all of the rods down 1/8"-1/4" into the lifters at the rocker. I am sure this isnt normal. But how could I have collapsed so many lifters so quickly? Could it be I spun some bearings? Oh Christ please no!
Thanks, Ryan
Tags are annoying

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Ryan. Mmo frees up sticky lifters usually but can also plug them up sometimes. Let the mom do its work and don't stress the engine. As for spark plugs a half turn past snug does good. Don't get that platinum Crap they last really long but don't transmit as much energy.

If the rockers are indeed loose do a running lash. Pull a valve cover have a buddy start the truck. Loosen a rocker fist and see if it clicks more. Then tighten till it stops and go 3/4 turn more and go down the line of rockers. Make sure all the pushrods spin when running. If not that rocker may be a little to tight
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevylookin]

Hello and thanks Insidious,
In detail, this engine was running fine before I changed the oil and plugs and has been forever. Shes just getting a little old. How could changing plugs and oil messed with my valve lash? Ive heard that spun cam bearings can sound like sledge hammers hitting an anvil and I would say its more just loose valves clattering, but very gnarly clatter.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

The marvel mystery oil is a solvent it breaks apart deposits in the engine overtime and is good at freeing sticky lifters. The plugs shouldn't change much at all though. Usually if you spin a bearing the engine seizes or eats itself alive after a while. It's pretty hard to spin a cam bearing. The cam spins half of engine speed

Usually when running with the valve cover off you can tell which rocker is loose by pushing lightly on the tip of the rocker with your finger.

Make sure none of your exhaust gaskets are blown as the sound is very similar as well
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevylookin]

Insidious,
Thanks or being the lone warrior on this. I have used additives in this engine before. I forgot to mention yesterday that I added about a quart of the Rislone Ring Seal and stop Smoke concoction. After beating my head against the wall for an hour and dropping the oil pan to inspect for any metal fragments which there were none, I decided to flush the new oil change and simply add regular conventional 10-30W as I normally do. I had suspected this "stuff" I added might be a little too thick even though its almost 80 degrees here. To my surprise and a little revving of the engine, the problem went away as fast as it came on. Ive never experienced anything so acute and negative as far a simply applying some engine additive. I will be more aware of the crap I stick in my engine in the future. Might be more advertising than engineering that goes into this stuff and I recommend anyone reading this to be wary of this product.
Regards,
Ryan

[RichardJ]

DO NOT readjust the valves. What the Marvel did to the lifters, it didn't change the adjustment. The Marvel did not change the adjustment. If you know how to adjust valves then you know that the valves can be adjusted with no oil in them at all. Most cam manufacturers tell you not to fill the lifters with oil and adjust them cold before starting the engine.
I use Marvel in my air tools. It's not motor oil. get that stuff out of there. Use one of the high mileage oils if you want, but don't let anyone talk you into using heavier weight oil. Use the same weight you used before the Marvel insident.

[RichardJ]

You posted before I got my post in. Good for you.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

While it may not have worked for you there have been tests on bob is the oil guy forums that the stuff does work although the benefits go away when you change the oil.

While it may seem thick on the when cold. Oil can get thinner or thicker when warm. My guess is that your worn valve train did not like the additive package it had. Usually once an engine wears down there isn't a whole lot you can do for ring seal and valve train noise. As for sludge the best way to keep that from forming is quality oil cool running temps and frequent oil changes.
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

DO NOT readjust the valves. What the Marvel did to the lifters, it didn't change the adjustment. The Marvel did not change the adjustment. If you know how to adjust valves then you know that the valves can be adjusted with no oil in them at all. Most cam manufacturers tell you not to fill the lifters with oil and adjust them cold before starting the engine.
I use Marvel in my air tools. It's not motor oil. get that stuff out of there. Use one of the high mileage oils if you want, but don't let anyone talk you into using heavier weight oil. Use the same weight you used before the Marvel insident.

They all say soak the lifters and adjust them before starting. Then do a running adjustment. Been the way to do it for many many years while mmo isn't an engine oil it is a good detergent. It didn't change the valve lash but if there were sticky lifters and they got cleaned out then hydraulic preload needs to be reset.
Posted via Mobile Device