Oil pressure Oil weight Ticking

[Grcforce327]

Maybe the sound is amplified in the vid, but that noise sounds deeper than anything up top.

[d124716]

Hello All, spent a lot of time in the garage this weekend, took many pictures will try to keep it short in the write up below:
Pictures are attached in this and next post, can't attached more than 5 pictures per post.

1. Took apart cylinder #10 and #8 rockers both have identical wear on all components
2. Rolled the pushrods on a glass shelf, the only odd thing I was able to identify was that the balls on the end of the rods are not welded on “center”. The body of the rod rolls straight. Compare reflection of pushrod pictures below.
3. Looked down on the tappers without taking them out, could see the retainer clips in all 4 tappets.
4. Used reverse shop vac and soap and water to identify leaks in the exhaust system. Have leaks on both sides at the clamps where headers go to the next section (circled in green) of the exhaust as well as towards the back where muffler connects up (circled in red).
5. Even though the exhaust leaks are there and do make ticking sound my noise is unfortunately not from them, they sound softer and independent of the temperature. My noise comes on after driving around and sounds more metal.
6. Poked under the car with a stethoscope, it seems that the metal noise that comes up after driving around is heard very good from the item circled in yellow, when I put the stethoscope on that bolt circled in yellow I hear the noise really clearly, putting the scope further down that housing the sound is there also. Putting the scope on the oil pan or oil pan bolts towards the front seems to quite the sound down. The sound is independent of clutch being pressed or not, as well as independent of the car being in the gear or not.

Questions:
1. Any thoughts on what could make metal ticking in the area circled in yellow. It is only there after driving around some, never when the car is cold, never when the engine is warm (water temperature).
2. What is the best way to eliminate exhaust leaks (circled in green and red)?
3. Anything abnormal in the rocker/pushrod (off center ball) pictures below?

Thank You!


Rockers 2.jpg
Valve top.jpg
Rod 2.jpg
Rod 1.jpg

[d124716]

More pictures to post above:
Bubbles 1.jpg
bubbles 2.jpg
Muffler 2.jpg
Muffler 1.jpg
IMG_0144.jpg

[GTS Dean]

Cold exhaust systems are going to leak until they expand to nominal dimensions at operating temperature.

There was a recent thread about stock rockers here. The orientation of the oil grooves on the rocker pivots came into question as the OP had a mix of orientations on his motor. I had mine apart for a rebuild and all 20 were oriented in a "V" direction. The valve covers had never been off since new in '96. Yours above is in an "A" direction. It may not be critical, but you're having some issues that could be related.

[d124716]

Got it on the exhaust leaks, thank you! What would the "A" vs "V" direction effect? Deterioration of the rocker itself or something more serious? Would it do anything to the tappets? From my video investigation (not the one below but others that I made) the noise is definitely on the passenger side, towards the back of the block.... so kind of back to #10 or #8 cylinder, plus it knocks on every other rev. only comes on when engine (I'm guessing the oil) gets hot enough.... besides Tappets (or tappets to camshaft)... is there anything else that could be a suspect? had the rockers off, had the pushrods out... visually the springs look ok.... would a valve guides / seats have anything to do with this?


Few notes for those who will be (maybe) reading this post if they ever come up on an issue like this. video below exposes the knock being one knock per two revolutions

[GTS Dean]

Check your other thread on oiling.

[d124716]

Took the head off. Take a look at these yokes, 4 out of 5 were loose? Is that suppose to be like that and would it have any say in the noise that I am experiencing at the back of the block after the car heats up?

[d124716]

Also found some of the rocker arm retainers (#3 below) to be installed "upside-down", they have a part number that is stamped on them so it was obvious. Does orientation of this part matter on these motors?
Rocekr arm Pedestal Retainer.jpg

[SharpesGarage]

Did you ever make any more progress on this or determine your issue?

I have a small ticking noise on the passenger side, although i believe it to be exhaust gasket related. I've yet to dig into it.

[Fatboy 18]

Did you ever make any more progress on this or determine your issue?

I have a small ticking noise on the passenger side, although i believe it to be exhaust gasket related. I've yet to dig into it.

Turn the music up and run loud pipes

[d124716]

Hi SharpesGarage - see my other thread called "Tappets lifters and cam lobe wear" which takes this issue to the finish line. Thanks!