Loose Rocker Arm??

[Jeepster]

The only way the nut would be loose or able to be taken off by hand would be a failed nut or the indents meant to keep it tight on there were worn, so that would definitely be something to check. I don't think a novice would be able to tell unless the nut was in this state. Otherwise even fully seated the nut doesn't have much dfferent feel due to the hydraulic lifter.

Something jammed to bend that pushrod though. I am leaning toward valve guide is bad and allowed the valve to fall out of parallel and jammed causing the lifter to collapse and it this is the effect of metal on metal.

There will be speculation as to "why". I agree with everything that has been said here by everyone. The only way to know for sure is to remove the spring and feel the valve in the guide by working it up, down and rotating it with your fingers. If there is binding or slop the head comes off next.

 

[Jeepster]

So.. I need to pull the air cleaner/carb/intake... correct? From there where's the lifter and what's it look like?

edit: brain fart

 

[mstark]

Ok, so to go any further I need an air compressor... correct?

EDIT: I just realized Dad has an onbair air-compressor for his arb, will it put out enough psi to hold the valves up?

 

[bmc69]

The lifter is what the spring is around. The rocker arm pushes on it. (valve stem). To remove it you have to pull the head off.

??..The lifter is in the engine valley under the intake, hopefully still sitting in its bore. The valve and valve spring, on the other hand, cannot be fully checked without an air-hold fitting and compressed air in that cylinder and an overhead valve spring sompressor tool to get the keepers out of the valve spring retainer.

 

[Jeepster]

Ok, so to go any further I need an air compressor... correct?

EDIT: I just realized Dad has an onbair air-compressor for his arb, will it put out enough psi to hold the valves up?

Yeah, it would work...you dont need much pressure.

Pic shows top of valve stem

 

[Jeepster]

??..The lifter is in the engine valley under the intake, hopefully still sitting in its bore. The valve and valve spring, on the other hand, cannot be fully checked without an air-hold fitting and compressed air in that cylinder and an overhead valve spring sompressor tool to get the keepers out of the valve spring retainer.

Yep your right.....brain fart. sorry.

 

[eb66to77]

The valve is what the spring is around. The rocker arm pushes on it. (valve stem). To remove it you have to pull the head off.

Don't confuse him now. You have your words backwards. The lifter is what the lobes of the cam push up and that is what pushes the push rod, pushrod forces rocker arm to rock and push th valve down openng it.

 

[eb66to77]

I knew you just had it backwards. Do it all the time

 

[mstark]

Will I be able to compress the spring with my hands... or will I really need an overhead valve spring compressor? Should I start to pull the intake first or check the valves? Another thing, if I start to pull the intake should I have enough daylight left today, or should I start fresh in the morning?

 

[Jeepster]

lifter photo

 

[bmc69]

The spring pressure *should* be around 80 poounds or so with the valve closed..and goes up quickly from there when you compress it to release the keepers in the spring retainer. Unless yr an awfully big feller..the answer is you need a valve spring compressor.;D

 

[mstark]

Yeah, I'm pretty small at about 5'7" 130lbs thanks for keeping me from hurting myself. ;D I just remembered my neighbor saying he has a vavle spring compressor. So, should I start tearing the intake off, or wait until the morning?

 

[Jeepster]

Don't confuse him now. You have your words backwards. The lifter is what the lobes of the cam push up and that is what pushes the push rod, pushrod forces rocker arm to rock and push th valve down openng it.

Your right. Sometimes the mind goes faster than I can type. I'll be quite now.
I will say to Mike though.....get a manual first, read it and wait till Dad comes home seeing this might be your first foray into a motor. Dont be so quick to tear into the thing. You go yanking the intake off and you'll have to buy gaskets and what not. Start at the simplest things first. Its cheaper that way.

 

[mstark]

Thanks Jeepster, and Dad wouldn't be much help in this situation (no offense pops). And there's no need for you to be quiet either, unless you want. You've been a major help and I'm sure have the knowledge to continue to be. With Dad's job he may not be home until late, even though he is 'supposed' to get off at four, so I'll cover everything up and call it a day for now.

 

[eb66to77]

Totally not my intention. Damn monotone keyboard!

 

[Tito]

Before ripping things apart, get some gaskets for your intake and some rtv for where it meets the block (not heads). They usually give you gasket stuff for those short sections but they generally dont work very well and the RTV works excellent and you can avoid a mystery vacuum leak. If you need new valve cover gaskets, get those too. Do you have your Bronco manual? It not I can scan the order to torque the manifold bolts down when putting it back together.

 

[mstark]

My Dad has both a Chilton's and the original owner's manual from 1970.

 

[Jeepster]

Totally not my intention. Damn monotone keyboard!

Its so cool guy, No problemo.....

Didnt take it that way. I admire Mike for wanting to jump in there with both feet. I have been there totally when I was his age with nothing but a small set of sockets I bought from K-mart and a partial set of cheap wrenches.....fearless....or stupid. I dont know.;D But I do know that reading and understanding is the greatest tool that one can have.
Mike, read,understand and do your homework so you know what you need at hand to do the job and you'll be on your way. Its not hard when you know what your doing.

 

[Quick & Dirty]

I'm suprised by only one mention of a rounded off cam. That was my first thought when I saw "loose rocker arm". The pushrod seemed very low in the pictures, even for being bent. I've seen a lot of threads on other boards about cam problems from a recent change in oil formulation. It can be tricky to break a cam in properly. I rounded the first cam in my rebuilt engine, and thought I did everything properly.

I guess its a good idea to check the easy stuff first, but I'd be prepared to pull the intake for a look, and not be too dismayed it the cam needs replacement.

 

[mstark]

Ok so I've made the decision to pull the intake and have a peek at everything in the morning. I have read about the removal/installation of lifters and the cam (I will NOT be pulling the cam). I am wondering about the lifter removal tool. Can someone tell me what kind of device this is, how it works, and even an estimate on how much one would cost.

-Thanks, Mike