Well first about the car. Its 95 formula, 160k miles, engine is stock. All other mod can be seen on my web page below but I don’t think I have any mods that affect this.

About 2 weeks ago my valves started clicking on the driver side. Happened on a downshift getting off the freeway. I adjusted the valves using the method in the Haynes Manual. (Basically TDC on the #1 cylinder adjust some, 1 rotation adjust the rest.) (I did notice that Haynes says tighten 3/4 turn and on search I see people have been using 1/4-1/2 turn. can someone post the link to this other method)

After I adjusted them 3 times I still hear the clicky sound. Not as bad but I still hear it. At that point I had to go to work (figures) At a constant speed/rpm I don’t hear it but when engine is under load/speeding up I hear them or when engine is slowing down/downshifting its really loud almost like a knocking sound.

This week im going to take the covers off again and take out the rockers, pushrods, ect. and inspect them really well. But does anyone have any idea what could be causing this??? Or any tips on what I should be looking for to see if any parts are defective???

Thanks for any posts!!!


***Edit*** added a few Questions i would like to ask on this subject


1. i did notice when i tryed the adjustments that the rockers could be twisted alittle after the adjustment. and i hear a slight clicky when i do that. is this normal???

2. when takeing the valve springs off do i need to use compressed air to hold up the valve up or can i just put each cylender at TDC and use the piston to hold the valve up. or will it drop too far???

thanks for any replys!!!

 

Anyone??? Please

 

For stock rockers, tighten down to zero lash, and then preload a FULL turn. Or adjust them while the car is on.

 

if you said your engine is stock and with high mileage there might be flat spots on your cam, making the lengths for the pushrods different throwing off the adjustment. did you rev it high when downshifting onto the ramp enough to bend a pushrod? look through this thread http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=444368 i posted my favorite way (reply #22) and it works perfect. the Haynes manual way just does it to set all of them on parts right out of the factory. like i said, if some of the lobes on your cam are flatter than others then you can't adjust them all as if they were all the same, try doing it individually and see if that helps. also while you're at it take all your pushrods out and check to see if they are all straight

-Chris

 

thanks for the replys great info!!! anyone have anything else to add?

 

i edited in/added 2 questions at the bottom of the original post. thanks for any help!!!

 

1. the slight movement is normal. setting the rockers to zero lash makes it so the pushrods ride on a "cusion." once it is adjusted, after you turn the motor to a different cyl. it will release pressure and be able to wiggle a little

2. you don't need to take the valvesprings off to adjust the rockers, just remove or loosen the rocker studs enough to swing them out of the way of the pushrod to take that out. i'd leave the valvesprings in if all youre doing is setting the rockers to zero lash

-Chris

 

thanks for the info. i was going to take the valve springs off to inspect them. thats why i was wondering if i can do it with out compressed air

 

I just went through the same problem. I ran the Comp R's and had one come apart. I reinstalled my 75,000 mile stock lifters and with in 1,000 miles had one collapse. It could be a weak or colapsed lifter.
HVY SS

 

any way to check the lifters without takeing the intake manafold off??

 

WOW this worked GREAT!!!

i took out all rockers and pushrods and checked them one cylender at a time while it was at TDC. all pushrods looked good no bent ones, rockers looked to have normal wear, tops of the valves looked good too.

I used the above technique to adjust my valves. did it once, put valve cover back on and not one click tick or anything. nice and quiet. car seems to be running better too.

I only adjusted the drivers side since thats where the noise was comming from. but next week im going to adjust the passenger side too just to be safe.

but i just want to say THANKS to silentsprintero for the great advice. saved me lots of $$$.

 

no problem whatsoever, glad i could be of your assistance!

-Chris