Engine ticking - help diagnose - updated with pics pg2

[Ohio Bill]

I got to agree stuck lifter or broken valve spring. You can hear the engine miss which gives a clue to valve issue. I heard a pop from the exhaust that makes me feel it's a valve issue.
Exhaust leak would be a softer sound.

 

[Heus33]

There was definetly a "pop" from the exhaust. I've never heard an engine miss or an exhaust leak so its difficult for me to diagnose.

 

[stevestang]

My money is on a bent pushrod or broken spring.

 

[Heus33]

Pictures

Pulled the valve covers today. I dont "see" anything broken but I dont know what to look for either. I felt around each spring and didn't feel any breaks. The pushrods look fine too but they're harder to see. The rockers would wiggle a bit when I put pressure on them, is that normal?

I took as many pics from different angles as I could. Have a look...I'm a complete newb when it comes to the inner workings of an engine and am clueless where to go from here so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

 

[bax]

Well I would take the rockers off and inspect the pushrods and the condition of the rockers themselves. Also with the rockers off it is much easier to check the springs. Sometimes a broken spring is hard to see. Other times it's easy. I dont see anything that looks odd.

 

[bax]

# 3 intake. Looks like 2 breaks or something is on the side of the spring. Picture # 4

 

[Heus33]

But the rockers are set at a certain torque right? I have a torque wrench and can check this. Anything special in terms of taking them off?

 

[bax]

Not really. Do one at a time. That way you keep them in the same order.

 

[Heus33]

Ok - here goes nothin!

 

[Heus33]

Ok - I just removed the rocker on intake #3 passenger side. As soon as I backed the bolt out coolant came pouring out. I plugged the hole using the bolt and tried the same on exhaust #3 with the same coolant outpour. Should coolant be coming out here? I know I'll need to change the oil now that I've got coolant in there but is this right?

 

[Heus33]

Anyone? Should I drain the coolant before checking the other springs and pushrods?

 

[bax]

Might as well drain it down some. I have never had water leak up thru my rocker pedistals? I dont know if this is normal or not. I dont think it is otherwise you would have to put sealer on every rocker bolt.

 

[Heus33]

I drained the coolant and the oil. I'll take the rockers off tomorrow. Should I rent a valve spring compressor and take off the springs while I'm at it? Or just leave them in and inspect each one?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Cracked head. Might as well start taking it all off.

 

[Heus33]

Cracked head. Might as well start taking it all off.

Wouldnt I have had coolant in the oil then?

 

[bax]

Cracked head. Might as well start taking it all off.

No proof of that yet? He got coolant when he took out one of the rocker bolts. I am not sure if this is normal? I have never had this happen to me.

 

[DirtDonk]

I'm not aware of any rocker bolts having access to coolant. I thnk they're all blind holes. I've never seen coolant in the rocker stud/bolt hole on ANY engine, Ford, Chevy, or whatever. And to have more than one do it? Hmmm.
Not that I've worked on every engine out there, but it seems strange right off the bat.

Something else strikes me as strange. Maybe you all can correct me if I'm wrong, but has anyone ever seen a running motor with all the rockers lined up straight like that? I don't see a single one that looks like it's even trying to open a valve. Pushrods all at the same height, or close to it.
I know you can have lifter bleed-down, but if so, this is an extreme case!

One other thing you can do, better at the pushrod than the valve, is to measure the lift at a couple of cam lobes, just to see what you've got. With a dead cam I would think it would not have run like it did, but I suppose there are always different scenarios. Popping out the exhaust though can easily be a flat cam lobe. But all of them? Not likely, but it sure looks that way from here.
Even if you factor in loosening all the bolts, the pushrod heights are still so close to the same as to be scary.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

...I dont "see" anything broken but I dont know what to look for either. I felt around each spring and didn't feel any breaks. The pushrods look fine too but they're harder to see. The rockers would wiggle a bit when I put pressure on them, is that normal?

You know Tom, for a newbie to engines, you've been able to do a ton of stuff on your own and have gone through a lot in the last month! Not a bad start I'd say. Not that I'd wish any problems on you, but you're proving yourself under fire.

Yes, the rockers can definitely wiggle when you exert pressure. There will always be some that are tighter than others, but even those that are under pressure from the cam pushing the valve open can be wiggled with enough pressure. And after awhile, the lifters might bleed down and let them wiggle more.
However, even a valve that's on the bottom of the lobe (all the way closed) will be holding some tension between the pushrod and valve tip. That's the "preload" of the lifter.
As I alluded to in my previous post, no matter where your crank and cam are in their rotation (cam rotates at half the speed of the crank), there will always be some valves closed, while others are at various stages of being opened (spring compressed) by the cam.
That's why I thought it was strange to see yours so evenly lined up.
Unless it's just a trick of the angle of the photo?

Can't wait to hear what more of your tests bring up.
Good luck. And boy, are you getting an education-under-fire of some of the inner workings of an engine!

Paul

 

[Heus33]

Thanks Paul, I've got no issues with rolling up my sleeves, and engine work is something I've always wanted to learn so I'm almost excited to start tearing into this thing.

Plus you and Roger and the others are patient enough to walk me through it, thanks guys.

Gonna take out all of the rockers on the passenger side today, I'll keep them all in order....pics to come.

 

[bax]

Good place to start. I wish someone would chime in on the water thru the rocker bosses? I still dont understand that. Stupid question but you didn't pull a head bolt right? Sorry had to ask. Another thing I noticed. Both your valve cover gaskets are still on the heads. I glue mine to the valve cover. They come off with the covers. I have found I have less leaks with the gasket glued to the covers.
You can flex the valve springs with a screwdriver. It's a good way to inspect them. Put the blade in between the coils and give it a little twist. Do this in a few places on the spring. If a spring is broken you can usually see it this way.
No spring compressor is needed yet.