Valve tick

[Steve07]

OK, guys I have a good one for ya. I need some help on this. 89 with 300k miles just did valve adjustment, thinking it would solve my problem. No luck. Started with a tick at 3k rpms or higher with load, silent with no load. Didnt change after valve adjustment. Decieded to drive anyway. Just the other day changed to ticking all the time and much louder now. Thought now I can see some damage and fix this. Nope. Looks the same. All clearances are good. Ran comp check. Between 205 and 215 psi on all but 4 and 5 cyl. They are 180 to 185 psi. I know its the valve and not an injector. Cant tell if something is stuck to the seat. Any help or ideas would be great.

 

[Sho-N-Go]

I think I would check the timing chain tensioners as well.

 

[luigisho]

Not sure how accurate the comp. numbers are. When Denny had high numbers his ran like **** until he spun a bearing. I would say decarbon the intake and check the bearings at this mileage. Probably the valves by this many miles but everything is suspect at this point.

 

[pjtoledo]

With that many miles you may have clogged/restricted oil passages. The cam lobes and buckets are not pressure lubed, they need oil spraying around. The cam bearings are pressure lubed. Did you look for flat spots on the lobes?? or check for valve lift? I have a valve tick in my 95, gonna look into it today.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[Steve07]

Thanks for your help. I am leaning toward oil flow problems. I do have low pressure at idle when the engine is hot, the light flickers. And there is small spots on those cam lobs. During the comp check I had plenty of oil on all lobs and in the buckets. I have used mobile one since I bought the car with 40k miles. The engine is extremely clean inside. So I dont think its a blockage. Again thanks. I think I am going to purchase another SHO and yank the motor and rebuild this one.

 

[sdpatt]

You should read the discussions (search feature near top of the page) we have had here regarding the use of synthetic oils in the SHO. The SHO engine does not usually like synthetic oil. Premature cam lobe wear and metal to meatl noises on startup. Try Castrol GTX High Mileage 10W-30 or 10W-40 and see if it makes any difference. I'll bet that your engine will sound much smoother and better lubricated with this oil.

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Steve07:
Thanks for your help. I am leaning toward oil flow problems. I do have low pressure at idle when the engine is hot, the light flickers. And there is small spots on those cam lobs. During the comp check I had plenty of oil on all lobs and in the buckets. I have used mobile one since I bought the car with 40k miles. The engine is extremely clean inside. So I dont think its a blockage. Again thanks. I think I am going to purchase another SHO and yank the motor and rebuild this one.

Park it. Find something else to drive and find out why you have low pressure. Also make sure that tick isn't the symptom of a more serious problem, which I suspect it is.