Rocker Arm Help

[katelynrose269]

So last night my engine started making a ticking noise that got more rapid as you accelerated. I figure one of the rocker arms is loose. Anyone have a DIY to tighten it? How to actually take the valve cover off? I figure its pretty basic, but I'm not quite familliar with the 360 v8s.

Its a 1979 Wagoneer with a 5.9L 360 V8.

[babywag]

'79 was non adjustable valvetrain from the factory, so something is broken or worn out.

oljeep.com has TSM (technical service manual) online.
Do some reading in the engine section.

Could be a broken rocker arm bridge, could be a bent pushrod, could be a bad lifter, and the list goes on.
Might be best to find someone in your locale to help you dig in and find the problem.

[FSJ Guy]

How to remove the valve cover?

A few bolts and it pops off. It's harder to get at than it is to remove.

Torque spec is something like 19 ft-lbs. Just make sure the bridges don't get bent when torquing the bolt down.

But if it's just a ticking and you only hear it on acceleration, it sounds more like an exhaust leak than a valve issue.

[Dr. Marneaus]

Could be lifters, fairly common. Grab yourself a cheap mechanics stethoscope and start listening around to narrow it down.

Pulling the valve cover, as said above, is easy as removing 4 or 6 bolts.


You could go the route im taking to cure my knocks/rattles/ticks and just drop in a new engine, haha.

[katelynrose269]

Could be lifters, fairly common. Grab yourself a cheap mechanics stethoscope and start listening around to narrow it down.

Pulling the valve cover, as said above, is easy as removing 4 or 6 bolts.


You could go the route im taking to cure my knocks/rattles/ticks and just drop in a new engine, haha.

Might just need to do that. Ah, but money is an issue. A somewhat big one. And I need a dd.

And thank you everyone else. If I find out what it is, I'll tell yah.

[andy d]

Check the dipstick, before tearing things apart. A qt low or more will make the lifters tick.

[Am4wag]

Check for exhaust leak before pulling the valve cover.Sounds exactly like top end ticking.

[Walt]

Check for exhaust leak before pulling the valve cover.Sounds exactly like top end ticking.

x2. It's amazing how much blown exhaust manifold gasket can sound like a metallic tapping. If it gets louder under load and quiet when you back off, then it's likely the exhaust. Once the manifold gets warped, they LOVE to spit out gaskets...

[katelynrose269]

x2. It's amazing how much blown exhaust manifold gasket can sound like a metallic tapping. If it gets louder under load and quiet when you back off, then it's likely the exhaust. Once the manifold gets warped, they LOVE to spit out gaskets...

That actually might be it. I havent figured it out yet. I did an oil change to see if that helped. It didn't. BUT it did solve another problem. Ha.

I have a lot of exhaust problems, which is hopefully getting fixed this week. So wish me luck on that one.

[manimal]

Try a better grade of fuel if you are running 87,try 91. If the noise goes awya you are having a pre-detonation problem. I have the same problem when I run cheap gas. Try it and post the results.

[katelynrose269]

Try a better grade of fuel if you are running 87,try 91. If the noise goes awya you are having a pre-detonation problem. I have the same problem when I run cheap gas. Try it and post the results.

Didn't help. It got quieter when I did my oil change and put the Lucas Oil Stabalizer in it, but it didn't fully go away.

[shakari]

Check for exhaust leak before pulling the valve cover.Sounds exactly like top end ticking.

I've just had EXACTLY the same thing and was convinced I was running the cam..... JUST before I ordered a new one, my buddy suggested an exhaust leak....

I couldn't see, hear or feel any problems and as a last check took a piece of hosepipe, stuck one end in my ear and the other on various parts of the manifold and sure enough the manifold gasket is blowing.

I'm now in the throes of ordering a new set from BJs.

Might be worth you checking for the same thing.