Valves SUPER wonky

[swank]

So I finally had a free afternoon today and decided to address something that's been bothering me for quite a while, the valves. Valve covers were moving a little, truck sounded horrible (don't drive it much), and just running pretty terrible all around.

Turns out that a few of them had up to 0.200 play!!! How was the thing even running?? And what the heck causes that? A couple of them were tight too, but only by a few thousandths. Did I mess up that bad last time (when I installed new rocker assemblies and got the truck running for the first time since buying it), or is there something that could make that happen?

Thoughts appreciated and have a good Fourth!

PS, it runs great now! Smooth as can be.

[oldestof11]

Did you pull the pushrods to check for straightness? And maybe a rookie mistake but did you make sure the pushrods in the tappets?

[BC847]

And maybe a rookie mistake but did you make sure the pushrods in the tappets?

This.

Might consider pulling one of the offending pushrods and check to see if the top of the tappet is missing a chunk of metal from its top perimeter (wiggle a magnet on a stick in there).

[swank]

I definitely installed push rods correctly. I triple checked when doing that. I don't know about any bent ones though. I did NOT pull the rockers today to see if anything was messed up. After adjusting everything, it is running like a top. Im just wondering if for some reason a cam would go bad or something. But if that's the case I don't think it would run as nice as it does now. I think I just messed it up that bad when I installed. We'll see how long it stays like this and go from there.

[fatty]

Next time you change the oil maybe cut open the filter and see if there is metal in there. Sounds like either cam or tappets could be wearing pretty bad. I guess you'll know once you put some miles on it. If it stays good then nothing to worry about.

[Richie O]

In other engines I have had ends of pushrods crumble. All gasser trash though.

[PToombs]

Did you get the lights figured out?

[swank]

Did you get the lights figured out?

noooo....

Been busy trying to get mechanical stuff lined out and ready for towing the Greenspeed rig to the salt. Truck runs and I don't drive it at night (for now) basically. Or if I do, I just don't turn...

[BC847]

Well Dave,

What are you gonna do on the salt?

[swank]

Well, nothing now. At least not till maybe October for World Finals if we're LUCKY. That event has been cancelled more than its been held over the last ten years. We have decided to hit up el mirage for the September 13 meet. It's a loooong drive from Idaho for a chance at a single run, but unlikely to get rained out or anything.