Ticking sound from engine.

I posted awhile ago when It started and they told me to check exhaist manifold gaskets for leaks, well I did and no problems. The ticking sound started right before I put it up for the winter, and it wasnt under any load. If I remember right I was crusing at like 20 mph and I think when it did happen it felt like it lost power?? Now there is a constant ticking sound coming from inside the engine and gets louder and more reptitive as the rpms increase. I started it up today and I heard it. I am afraid to drive it like this, plz tell me the motor is not junk :cry:

This would be better suited for Classic Tech, moving...

Thanks.

first off, grab a wooden dowel or a brrom handle or something.

Start the car and let it idle. Use the broom handle like a stethoscope. put the side of it flat against your ear and use the end of it to touch various parts of the engine. try the bottom end on both sides of the engine. Also try the valve covers. If you hear the ticking loud from one of the valve covers, work your way along the cover back and forth to try an pinpoint which valve it's coming from.

Chances are it's in the valve train. I'd guess a collapsed lifter, but it could also be a broken valve spring, broken rocker, etc. any one of those will cause a loss in power and some noise.

Originally posted by Timberwolf
Chances are it's in the valve train. I'd guess a collapsed lifter, but it could also be a broken valve spring, broken rocker, etc. any one of those will cause a loss in power and some noise.

Im gonna try that method Timberwolf.


If it is in the drivetrain, any chance that I could replace it, not having done anything like this before? :)

Its probably rocker slap, just adjust your valve clearance. My car made the same noise coming from the valve cover and i was scared it was something serious. I would try that first if the noise coming from the valve cover.

yeah, if it's in the valvetrain it's fixable. One other option though that would be a bit harder to fix and would cause the same symptoms: worn cam lobe.

CHPshown67: If you just randomly started getting "rocker slap" I'd look to see why...you may have a worn cam lobe as well. Sure you can get rid of the noise by readjusting the valve train, but that's not really a fix :)

Mine was making the same noise about a year ago, adjusted them, and no problems since, so i dont know.;)

Well I lucked out, I found the guys phone # that I bought it off of to get some more info on my engine. Seems that he was was replacing rockers every 2 months or so. They are not roller rockers so I would imagine thats my noise. And he also told me that he was involved in a major accident with it!!! He said he t-boned some lady and the entire front end crunched in and the doghouse came off the car!!!!! Well now I am worried that the frame is twisted or something. What else could happen from an accident like that. I also thought it was caus the right side of the car seems uneven from the left. ( Trunk hood does not line up with each side, and the front hood is not exactly lined up right.) :cry:

if he's breaking rockers, he may have too much lift for the stock rocker arms. might want to pick up long slots

I pulled the valve covers off and noticed that one of the rocker arms was indeed cracked. I am going to replace it, but dont know what the lash should be.
Now what is the lash suppose to be for these? The heads casting #'s are GM 3890462.

hydraulic or solid lifters?

Originally posted by Timberwolf
hydraulic or solid lifters?

They are solid.