Question....valve covers

[GMCjunkie]

I finally got my truck back together so that I could actually start it and see if I fixed the tapping sound by replacing the valve cover seal and the exhaust manifold seal. I started it up and the tapping sound is louder than before. Heres my question, can I run my engine with the valve cover on the passenger side off? Also, if this is possible, what the heck do I look for? I already looked at the valves and rods, none appeared to be cracked or bent and none of then had more than the most slight play in then. Also, open for suggestions...

Thanks so much!!!!

junk

[geezer#99]

You can but expect a bunch of oil mess.
Make some deflectors out of a 6 inch wide piece of card board and put it along the head beside the springs to stop the oil splash. Curl it around each end and it'll just sit there nicely.

[69chevytrucker]

if you have a old valve cover kicking around cut along the top of the cover wide enough to fit a socket and it wont make a mess while you ajust your rockers to get rid of the tapping

[71swb4x4]

Make sure the rockers aren't hitting the valve cover. Chances are it's just loose rockers, but since you said the noise is louder after replacing the valve cover gasket it's something you should check.

[69chevytrucker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...sRPxZ2SLw#t=78

there is a clip of what im talking about

[FirstOwner69]

This worked for me. You can probably get the holes in better alignment than I did though.

[GMCjunkie]

Thanks for the quick replies yall!! I don't have an old valve cover, so I guess I will have to get creative with cardboard. I really think that's where the tap is coming from, but just didn't know how to approach it. Should the valves have any wiggle at all? Or do you just adjust each one by sound and not tightness?

Thanks again!!
junk

[69chevytrucker]

run engine with cover off loosen one rocker at a time till it clacks tighten till clack goes away then tighten a half turn repeat on each one or if you know what one is clacking just do it to that one

[FirstOwner69]

I saw your previous thread on this, but didn't read it. So, this may be a repeat. Back in the day, it was quite common to have this type of sound from sticking hydraulic valve lifters. Olds engines seemed to have the problem quite often. Chevys a lot less frequently. If you can pinpoint the noise, perhaps you can determine what lifter to replace. I remember an Olds service department using a quart of Dexron in place of a quart of oil to try to free up a noisy lifter in a 69 Olds we had.

They also make deflector clips to place over the ends of the rockers to control oil when making adjustments. Perhaps a local auto parts place carries them..

[FirstOwner69]

Here's a link to some deflectors on eBay. Just search the the parts and accessories section for "oil deflectors" and you'll get others. This one popped up first.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr-Gasket-10...r#ht_792wt_789

[GMCjunkie]

ok, I made a cardboard monstrosity that will work. But my valves are different than the guys in the video. How do I adjust mine? Do I just use a socket? they are all snug as it is, can they be too tight to make it tap?

[FirstOwner69]

Yes, just turn the nuts when to adjust like the video. Tight doesn't make them right. When doing it w/o the engine running, you need to hand turn the engine to get the valves in the right position for each cylinder.

[GMCjunkie]

I will do it with the engine running so I can hear the tapping sound. What do you mean get them in the right position?

[69chevytrucker]

yes use socket just undo nut a couple turns while running it will start to clack then slowly start re tightening till clack stops then 1/2 turn more it will then be set or like i said if you can here which one is tapping/clacking you can just do it to that one

[69chevytrucker]

if you do it without the engine running you need to turn engine by hand till the valve is all the way up then you can turn the push rod with your fingers and then tighten till you cant then a 1/2 turn more but the engine running way is easiest i think

[GMCjunkie]

ok, getting aggravated. I started it up with the valve cover off, and now the tapping sound is gone. What the heck?? :/

[69chevytrucker]

rocker hitting valve cover look at the inside of your valve cover for shiny spot if you have shiny spot then you rocker is just hitting up against the valve cover no biggy

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 69chevytrucker

rocker hitting valve cover look at the inside of your valve cover for shiny spot if you have shiny spot then you rocker is just hitting up against the valve cover no biggy

Could a loose baffle in the valve cover also be the cause?

[69chevytrucker]

you can tap the shiny spot with a hammer to dent it away abit and tapping should stop just dont hit it with the hammer like you hate it should be a couple light taps
or if you can just buy taller valve covers

[69chevytrucker]

could be that too most likely rocker hitting cover bad thing about tin cover over time they will sag down from cold and heat and cold

[GMCjunkie]

I don't see a shiny spot. It hasn't been doing it that long, nor have I had it running much. Maybe it hasn't had time to make a shiny spot? The valve covers are very thick too, doubt I will be able to alter them.

[69chevytrucker]

are they tin or aluminum and also shake the valve cover to see if you can hear any loose parts in the cover might be junk in the baffle on the cover
if the tapping stopped after you took the cover off then it is for sure a issue with your cover the shiny might not be showing up yet but if you put the cover on again and the tapping starts again we know for sure your cover is not right or your gasket is too thin

[69chevytrucker]

if it is the cover then its not a big deal wont hurt anything and you can run it for awhile then down the road check for the shiny spot and if the tapping bugs you all you need to do is grind where it is shiny a little bit so the rocker doent touch the cover anymore

[69chevytrucker]

i have chrome covers on mine and i have a rocker that touches i can feel the cover bump up a bit but thats the price i pay for bling lol

[71tahoe]

If you're not finding a shiny spot or loose baffles or any evidence of interference, try looking for spark jumping from an ignition wire to ground. The last motor I replaced had one of the spark boots too close to the manifold and it was ticking like a stuck lifter or loose rocker. Finally got an angle where I saw the spark jumping. Could be you moved the wire enough out of the way of a ground that it doesn't arc any more when you took off the valve cover.