VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Valve tick

I have a 1930 Special Sedan which has what I think is valve tick. It is most noticeable at idle, and seems to be coming from the #5 or #6 cylinder under the valve cover. I know that some amount of ticking is normal, but how much is to much? I have adjusted the valves, and the #2 cylinder intake valve was way out, which I corrected. The rest are set to the specs in the manual. .006 for the intake, and .008 for exhaust. When the engine is under load, when going up hill etc., the noise seems to go away.

Any ideas what I can check, or is this normal? The engine does run strong, but could be a bit smoother at idle.

Thank you for the help. I have enjoyed reading the posts over the last few weeks. This is a great resource. Hopefully I'll be able add some answers some day :)

With each valve closed spin the pushrod by hand to see if it is bent. Also check to see if the top of the valve spring is hitting the rocker arm.

Thank you,

I will check it tonight. If it is the push rod is it difficult to change?

The push rods are easy to change, but you will have to readjust your rocker arm again if you do change a push rod. Also, if a push rod is bent, it could be hitting the side of the push rod cover and that would make a "ticking" noise as well.

You can slide each rocker arm forward or backwards on the rocker arm shaft and the pushrod can be removed by pulling it straight up.

Thanks,

I checked it tonight, and you are all right :p , it is not that hard to get the push rods out, and there are 2 push rods that are bent, but not very badly.

It looks like some of the oil wicks in the rocker arms are gone :confused: There are a few that are in place but it looks like no oil is getting through.

Should I replace the wicks or should they be removed? The Filling Staion has them cheap so I am thinking about replacing them. As for the push rods, should I replace all of them while in in there, or only the bents ones? Are there any things I should replace at the same time as a matter of good practice? I have only had the Chevy for a couple of months, but I love driving it. I want to keep it in as good condition as I can.

Thanks again for all the great advice.
:) :)
Jim

While you have the push rods out, check the ends of the rockers to see if they are smoothly arched. If not they will tick no matter what you do to adjust them. Also try to rock the arms from side to side any excessive movement indicates work bushings and maybe the shaft. It is not necessary to replace the push rods. They can easily be straightened. Find the bent spot and push it back straight. Take it easy and a little at a time. Check by rolling on a 2x4 or 2x6. A flat surface can also be used but you will have to interpret the wobble as the ends of the push rods are likely not perfectly round. I have straightened many push rods without them rebending (except when a valve hangs).

I have not checked the rocker arms yet. If they are not smoothly arched can they be fixed or polished, or do they need to be replaced? I guess it would depend on how badly worn they are.

If not too badly worn, they can be ground correctly by any shop that does valve machining. If badly worn they can be welded and then cut or replaced. Replacements are a bit hard to find. The rocker shafts and bushings can be purchased as they have been reproduced.

All fixed

Thank you all for the help!

Jim

Cool! Glad that you got it fixed!