OK Im new so bear with me.

FOUROUTAFIVE · 11-08-2007, 02:58 AM

Here Is the deal. I have a chance to get a 66 delta 88. But im not sure if I want to get my feet wet with the problems it might have due to my lack of resoursces. First off the car does start and has a steady idle but it has the knock like a wood pecker that I hear directly on top of the left valve cover. From what I have been reading on here on other topics this could be an exhuast leak, collapsed lifter, or something to do with the vavletrain. I know its not the cam because the sound only get lounder the higher you rev the engine.
what Im hoping to get out of this post is a nod yes or no that this can be fixed without taking the engine out of the car and If I can get a more direct answer to this problem. Ive also read on here that someone put ATF fluid in the engine block Im not to up on that on this...

any help I get I will be more than thankful for

ozoneblue · 11-08-2007, 03:12 AM

Buy a set of valve cover gaskets, take that side off ,Might be a broken rocker arm.If not it could be a carbon knock .piece of carbon on top of piston.

Oldsmaniac · 11-08-2007, 11:30 AM

It is very hard to diagnose an engine noise over the internet but the most likely cause of a tap under the valve cover is a worn rocker and or stand. A pretty easy fix providing its worn and there isnt an oiling problem or clog in the lifter or pushrod. A knock is usually very serious and typically comes from within the engine down lower.

FOUROUTAFIVE · 11-08-2007, 07:19 PM

if it is a worn or broken rockerarm or pushrod can the car be driven fo a short distance like two or three miles without causing major damage?

Oldsmaniac · 11-09-2007, 06:33 AM

I would drive it.

GoldOlds · 11-10-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOUROUTAFIVE

if it is a worn or broken rockerarm or pushrod can the car be driven fo a short distance like two or three miles without causing major damage?

A few years back, a couple friends and I build a demolition derby car with a late 70s Olds 350. It ran like crap at first, but we ran it up and down the laneway along the one guy's farm anyway - several times. It turned out to have a couple SEVERELY bent pushrods. Judging from that experience, I'd say a two/three mile drive will be harmless.

- GoldOlds

11-08-2007, 02:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
FOUROUTAFIVE Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5	OK Im new so bear with me. Here Is the deal. I have a chance to get a 66 delta 88. But im not sure if I want to get my feet wet with the problems it might have due to my lack of resoursces. First off the car does start and has a steady idle but it has the knock like a wood pecker that I hear directly on top of the left valve cover. From what I have been reading on here on other topics this could be an exhuast leak, collapsed lifter, or something to do with the vavletrain. I know its not the cam because the sound only get lounder the higher you rev the engine. what Im hoping to get out of this post is a nod yes or no that this can be fixed without taking the engine out of the car and If I can get a more direct answer to this problem. Ive also read on here that someone put ATF fluid in the engine block Im not to up on that on this... any help I get I will be more than thankful for

11-08-2007, 11:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oldsmaniac Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 371	It is very hard to diagnose an engine noise over the internet but the most likely cause of a tap under the valve cover is a worn rocker and or stand. A pretty easy fix providing its worn and there isnt an oiling problem or clog in the lifter or pushrod. A knock is usually very serious and typically comes from within the engine down lower. __________________ OCA Member 2587 '59 98 conv. '66 Starfire '66 Delta Fact.4spd '66 Delta conv. times 2 '67 442 conv. '68 Cutlass conv. '70 Rallye 350 '92 Custom Cruiser

11-08-2007, 07:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
FOUROUTAFIVE Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5	if it is a worn or broken rockerarm or pushrod can the car be driven fo a short distance like two or three miles without causing major damage? Last edited by FOUROUTAFIVE : 11-08-2007 at 07:19 PM. Reason: left out question mark

11-09-2007, 06:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsmaniac Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 371	I would drive it. __________________ OCA Member 2587 '59 98 conv. '66 Starfire '66 Delta Fact.4spd '66 Delta conv. times 2 '67 442 conv. '68 Cutlass conv. '70 Rallye 350 '92 Custom Cruiser

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11-08-2007, 03:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
ozoneblue Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 407	Buy a set of valve cover gaskets, take that side off ,Might be a broken rocker arm.If not it could be a carbon knock .piece of carbon on top of piston.