OK, I have some work for the weekend if it ever stops raining here. I very much appreciate the help. I have some ability, but I am not up for pulling and tearing down the engine myself. Well, I'm sure I could take it apart, its the putting together correctly thats the issue.

 

Never said the type of rockers and were both covers off?

edit: I'll assume you changed valve cover gaskets and maybe the previous owner used thicker for that reason?

 

OK - Let's try a little nice cheap (read free) diagnostic work.

Start by taking off one valve cover... Start the motor and see if the noise seems to correspond to any one particular rocker arm (it's ok to put your finger on the side of the rocker arms to help narrow things down). If you aren't sure or can't tell, while the motor is idling - try backing off on each of rocker arm adjustment and see if backing off on one adjuster "fixes" the noise or if it makes it worse. (This is how old timers used to adjust the valves on hydraulic lifter cars - they would back off on each adjuster until the valve "clattered" - then snug it up till it quieted down - then they'd go 1/4 turn more - which would put the plunger on the lifter real near the top of it's travel - almost eliminating the possibility of "pump-up"). .

If you find one that makes a difference - you have likely found the problem - it's probably the rocker arm or the lifter for that valve. You can try to change that particular lifter out (new lifters have been known to be bad), or you can try to swap rocker arms with another valve, and see if the problem stays put or if it moves. Needless to say - you may need to pull the other valve cover and see if it's one of those lifters / rocker arms. A bum lifter is normally pretty hard to locate by sound.

GOOD LUCK !!!

 

I'm fairly certain I know which one is making the noise. It made the noise, I changed lifters and it still makes it.

I've switched rockers and there was no change. Also loosened and then tightened the rockers. Nothing changed.

I'm going to see if there is some play in the valve guide like mentioned above but I think either way I'm going to have to pull the head. There's a first time for everything. Hopefully I won't screw it up.

 

GOOD !!!

If that's the case - I agree that you're going to have to pull the head and disassemble the springs to see what the issue is and replace the problem part. Most good machine shops can install bronze valve guide inserts. I'd pull at least a couple of other valves and check free play in several other guides (typically exhaust guides "wear" faster than intake guides - but check a few to be safe). If the end play is even questionable - I'd have the shop install bonze liners in all the guides (or replace the head).

I suppose that you could try to get one of those lever type valve spring compressors (the ones that go on the rocker stud) & use it to push down on the whole valve spring assy (meaning don't break the valve keepers loose) and see if you hear that noise or feel any roughness. You'll be pushing against a fairly robust spring - but if you feel something get tight or hear that noise - you are now sure you've found the problem...

 

Engine disassembly tip:

Cut cardboard strips, outline the gaskets on the cardboard, punch holes with an awl etc in the outlined bolt holes. Remove a bolt, place it in the corresponding cardboard hole.
No guess work during reassembly.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll make sure to update when I have the head checked, I hate not hearing how things have turned out. It will probably be a while, but I'll be back.

Thanks again,
Jared