I need helping putting a valve train together, i would love to do this with the engine inside the van also. Worse case scenario i pull the heads off, but id rather not.
il set the example at the same time.

Model: Chevy van G10
Make: Chevroelt
Year: 1978
engine/transmission option: 350 small block with th350 tranny
are you mechanically inclined/have the right tools? :i want to buy the tools for the job
Issue(s): lots of valtrain noise(as if a rock was bouncing inside) its a clear knocking noise that occurs more or so randomly but regularly.(il take a video next time im around the van)
Modifications: the engine/tranny is actually from a 1980 chevy van
Repair budget: 500 (not including tools)

I didn't take the valve covers of yet but i intend to get this issue settled before i take the van out for the summer.
Main thing is i don't know how to chose these items there are so much options.
was on summit looking at push rod/roller rocker kits they go around 200$ ( i don't need anything fancy this is a stock engine) but then i see 1.56 ratios, 1.6 ratios idk how much those difference influence my choive of other valtrain components
i don't really know how to chose springs and such, so many options and specs.

looking for worse case scenario back up plan, if i only have a bent rod il only change the rods, but if the whole rocker arm are going to shit il change everything.

Id be interested in seeing a short of vid of it running.. its kinda odd that it happens randomly.

Id pull the valve covers first and check for anything obvious and go from there. Im thinking if its that loud hopefully it will be something easy to see.

Could be as simple as adjusting the valve lash, I'd get a compression test at the same time to gauge what shape your piston rings are in also.

Okay my first step would be to CLEARLY identify the source of the knocking/tapping.

Have you confirmed that it is indeed the valvetrain giving you problems? And it's not something like a rod bearing knock, in the block instead? Any way to test oil pressure to confirm?

If its the valve train it could be something as little as one of the valve clearances is off by a few thousandths of an inch, which can be easily checked with the valve covers off.

So I'll wait for the video til I make my final prognosis.


Edit: have you listened to the motor through the end of a screwdriver? It's basically a stethoscope. Place the metal end on the motor, the handle to your ear, and you will be able to hear things SOOOOO clearly inside your motor, it might actually startle you.

I'd just start probing with my screwdriver til I locate the true source of the noise.

This post was edited by OldAndyAndTheSea on Jan 23 2013 11:32am

honestly im not really sure if to call bullshit or not on the screw driver thing

im tempted to try it but im also afraid this is a horrible joke and my ear is gonna get owned....

All practical joking aside, it is a proven method, so have no fear. Haha.

It's the most common way people test whether injectors are opening and closing.

It's not a megaphone..... And the loudness is dictated by the thickness of the screwdriver being used. The thicker it is, the more resonating properties it has.

It's by no means a 100% guaranteed method, it's mainly just an easy way to track down the noisy parts of your motor. I've done it lots.

It's actually the same way most older style knock sensors work.

This post was edited by OldAndyAndTheSea on Jan 23 2013 12:09pm

most of the time random valvetrain noise (in my experience) is a noisy lifter.

try new full synthetic oil

Switching to full synthetic in high mileage motors in some instances has caused rattles and other engine noises.

looking trough my phones video i actually noticed i had filmed the engine noise before, here is a link
http://s101.beta.photobucket.com/user/qcyatuqc/media/VIDEO0124.mp4.html