Clickity-Clack Sound

[Anonymous]

Hello all,
I'm a newbie to this forum. Ive had this '65 Coupe 200/Six car for about 5 years now and am getting tired of the clikity-clack sound, so I want to do something about it. I assume there is slop in the valve train. I read once before that the only way to adjust the valves is by getting longer pushrods. Is this true?? I welcome any suggestions.

Dave in California

Thanks 8)

 

[S2261]

Do you have adjusters an your rocker arms? If so you may have solid lifters that need an adjustment. Or, your hydraulic lifters are bad. Longer pushrods is not the answer.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Dave:

And welcome to The Forum.

First a few questions. How many miles/years on this engine? How often is the oil & filter changed?

I ask these questions because the rocker noise on your engine may be caused by a lack of adjustment, a lack of oil, a stuck hydraulic lifter, or worn parts.

If the engine has high miles/years and has been poorly maintained it is likely several of these causes.

Know that this engine does not typically have adjustible rocker arms. They can be added and offer good options for an old engine.

I'd suggest that you do a little more assessment by removing the valve cover to inspect that area. Do this with the enigne warmed up. Check each rocker for contact with the valve tip by making sure the valves on that cylinder are in the closed position. Wiggle the rocker. It should not have play. If only one has excess play, you likely have a stuck lifter. If may have play you likely have a worn engine.

Now start the engine and watch as oil seeps out of each rocker, from the back to the front. Oil should reach the front within a minute. If not you likely have a sludge build up problem too. If this is the case the extra clearance causing the clatter could be from worn pushrod tips or rocker cups. This can be verified by removing the rocker assembly and doing a visual inspection.

Once you get this far, report back and we'll talk about solution options.

Adios, David

 

[pedal2themetal45]

HI DAVE AND WELCOME TO THE BEST INLINE BOARD
First are you sure its rocker noise a leaking exaught gasket well make the same kind of noise..
Take a screw driver ( a long one) and put the pointy end against the valve cover and the handle to your ear and you should be able to heare if its a rocker. Most likely you have adjustable rockers I have a 65 200 and the rockers were adjustable. Most of the time they don't just go out of adjustment. So you may have other issues like czln6 stated...
Tim

 

[Anonymous]

My car had a stuck lifter after sitting for a while and I was able to free it without disassembling anything. Despite my skepticism, I poured in some Marvel Mystery Oil into the engine and drove around with that. It freed the stuck lifter. Drain and refilled with oil and it has not given any problems in the past few years.
Doug

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure of the actual miles

Fluids are topped off

Exhaust manifold leaks also, but that to me is a distinguishable sound

I think I'll try the Marvel mystery oil next and see what happens.

Then I'll take off the valve cover

Thanks all!!

 

[MustangSix]

Probably not whatyou want to hear, but many of these little engines were very neglected and had infrequent oil changes. Almose everyone I've opend up in that state had worn lifters and often worn out rpckers and pushrods.

The nice ball shaped pushrod ends were worn to a pear shape point, and the lifters were concave. There is only so much preload buillt in to take up the slack, so as they wear, they start to clack and the only cure is to replace the worn out parts. Not that expensive, but can be a PITA since it requires removal of the head to get the lifters out.

Again, that's all worst case, but it should be checked.

 

[69.5Mav]

june82000
If indeed your noise is caused by a worn valve train(ie lifters, push rods and rocker arm assembly) then the first thing I would try would be to replace the rocker arm assembly and push rods. This may take up enough play in the valve train to quitet you noise and is the most cost effective solution.

Changing the valve lifters would require removing the head which would mean you should do a valve job on the head before reinstalling it because you don't want to pull the head later to do a valve job when it finally needs it. This will cost a lot more money though and is a job best left to an experrienced person. A valve job though on an older car is not a bad idea so if it needs it you might just want to go ahead and get everthing done at one time.

If you decide to replace the rocker arm and push rods I'd get the ajustable ones as they are a dirrect replacement ment for that engine and would help to take up any remaining play in the valve train.

Good Luck
69.5mav