Head and rockers.
 

I have been meaning to replace the valve cover gaskets as well as the pcv valves. While driving in 4 th gear and only under a load such as a hill i have been hearing a rattling coming from the engine. I pulled the driver valve cover to adjust the vavles and it doesnt look to clean. I also noticed that the rocker closest to the firewall i believe its an exaust valve moves left and right on the shaft? How bad is this and whats your opinions on the pics? Any way to safely clean without removing the head.i have yet to remove passanger valve covers.

Re: Head and rockers.
 

Its hard to see what's in there, but does it look like just thick oil? Or does it look like slime? If its slime-like it might be water in the oil. that's bad (head gasket maybe?).

If its just thick oil in globs it could be sludge from the PO not changing the oil. You can use a sludge remover and give it two treatments and it should clean a lot of it up. I used this stuff on the wifes car. Worked pretty good.

http://www.auto-rx.com/

Re: Head and rockers.
 

Some sludge, but I've seen some much, much worse. I have carefully cleaned up my rocker assemblies with brake cleaner or lacquer thinner while trying to avoid any sludge going down into the motor. Yours really doesn't look that bad. The rocker arms should have some side play. Not sure how much would be excessive. Check your rocker pads and valve stems for any unusual wear patterns.
The throttle return spring on yours is still a nice yellow, so it appears your engine could have relatively low mileage.

Re: Head and rockers.
 

I think your rocker assemblies look very clean...compared to most I've seen in these motors, unless they were rebuilt recently.
I suspect yours has had the top end, or at least the rockers assemblies redone recently.
Some side play is normal and therefore to be expected. You might want to compare to the other side when you get that cover off.
Are the valves adjust ep properly? A loose valve adjustment can make a significant racket.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

Re: Head and rockers.
 

The "rattling" you hear is probably detonation.

Has nothing to do with the valve adjustment. Excessive lugging, fuel octane, or timing are the likely culprits if the engine isn't running to hot.

Re: Head and rockers.
 

Its only in fourth gear and only at the top end lije around 55... it sounds like a metalic similar to a spray paint can

Re: Head and rockers.
 

No rebuilds that i am aware of. She sat in a field for a while. How long is unknown to me as i bought her from the guy that "saved "her

Re: Head and rockers.
 

I would not worry about the sludge, a lot of old engines ran on non detergent oil. You can add a quart of automatic trans. fluid to your oil, and clean alot, but I have had engines when all the sludge comes loose, it clogging oil sump screen, and causing oil pressure drop on the highway.

Re: Head and rockers.
 

What's the initial timing set at?

Mine knocks in the morning and it is not even the engine...it's the clutch fork bearing. I can feel it when I push the clutch in. haha

Re: Head and rockers.
 

No idea on the timing. Dont own a light yet and have never done it. Maybe its timw to invest and learn hahaha