Ok, I went searching for a tapping noise inside a valve cover and have found a rocker that has play when it is in the closed position (exhaust). The valve stem tip is worn when compared to the others , but the rocker is in the same visual condition as the others. Is there any remedy without having to replace the valve like maybe a stem tip replacement, seems I've heard of some in the past but never delt with this before personaly.
I doubt the valve stem is the problem. Could be the lifter is collapsed or the cam lobe is worn. You need to get a dial gauge and measure the lift.
Max; I had a Sprint, many, many moons ago, and I had that problem. Lost the valve lash cap, and mushroomed the valve stem. I dressed it up with a fine file, so the cap fit over it without any obstruction, put a new rocker arm on it, and drove it for another 50K miles. Might work in this case, provided the cam or lifter isn't lunched. Earl
True, if the valve was initially machined for it, you could touch it up and add another one. Two problems though: Where did the old one go? and Why did it leave?
Max; good questions!!!!!! I think they go down the oil drain holes, and have the potential to clog it up. I found mine, laying on the head, and causing no apparent problem. If he drains the oil, it may come out, if he is lucky. Also, look for pieces of the cap....may have fractured and gone all over. As far a why, who knows. It may have been a loose rocker arm, or a stud pulling out, or a worn out rocker. Mine was a worn rocker. Not good, in any case.
I am getting oil so I dont suspect a bad lifter and the enginr has about 15000 miles (thats how far I,ve driven the car anyway) on it. The noise started at around 10000 and no difference in performance, just clicking sound. So what I am hearing is that there is a cap on the end of the valve? Are they all the same? When I had the heads worked the guy measured things and added or removed shims and stuf. My rocker doesnt appear worn but I will be replacing it anyway (cheap). Any and all info is helpful till I go to the shop where I had the heads worked on in Dallas, which wont be till Thursday, it's also about 110 miles from me. He may be able to help me but knowing beforehand is for personal satisfaction (so I wont look like a dumb bass). LOL. Thanks guys
If it has been doing it all along, maybe he forgot to put it on the valve. Things like that happen. Just glad it hasn't swallowed the valve, or broken anything. These things usually don't, unless you are revving the engine up pretty high. Good luck, hope it works out.
:confused: Now I need to ask how the tip comes off. I can see a line or groove about 1/16" below the surface of the tip on the good ones and neerly flushed on the worn one, and further inspection DOES show a worn rocker. It is an exhaust valve by the way.
Some of the early ford exhaust valves had lash caps from the factory(you could just pull them off by hand). What you are explaining sounds like a hardened wafer tip that is fused on the end of the valve. I had one of those wafers come off one of my valves(sudden ticking noise, rocker loose). I found it still in the head near the rear oil drain hole. I just tightened that rocker to take out the slack(adjustable) and made sure the rocker wouldn't touch the valve spring retainer's outter edge(it was closer than the others, but wasn't touching). That was six years ago and I check it from time to time and it doesn't to be wearing any. If you have non adjustable rail rockers you would have to use a shim(washer) under the nut to take out the slack and give the correct preload. And you would have to be sure the rails themselves weren't touching the keepers or retainer before the rocker pad was touching valve tip. They also make a lash cap that would fit over the end of the valve(if it wasn't mushroomed too bad). Or you could remove head and replace valve.
Go to: "My 302 is ticking...lifter noise?" That is a thread I did on the valve stem cap. Is that your problem? The only place to get the cap, is from a late model 302 (wrecking yard).
