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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

I would drive it.

 

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