OK Im new so bear with me.

FOUROUTAFIVE · November 8th, 2007, 03:58 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 · November 8th, 2007, 04:12 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 · November 8th, 2007, 12:30 PM

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 · November 8th, 2007, 08:19 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 · November 9th, 2007, 07:33 AM

I would drive it.

GoldOlds · November 10th, 2007, 12:35 PM

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

November 8th, 2007, 03:58 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

November 8th, 2007, 12:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Oldsmaniac Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 702	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 Delta Fact.4spd '66 Delta conv. '67 442 post trac pac '67 442 conv. '68 Cutlass conv. '70 Rallye 350 '92 Custom Cruiser

November 8th, 2007, 08:19 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; November 8th, 2007 at 08:19 PM.. Reason: left out question mark

November 9th, 2007, 07:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsmaniac Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 702	I would drive it. __________________ OCA Member 2587 '59 98 conv. '66 Delta Fact.4spd '66 Delta conv. '67 442 post trac pac '67 442 conv. '68 Cutlass conv. '70 Rallye 350 '92 Custom Cruiser

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

November 8th, 2007, 04:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
ozoneblue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 503	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.