Loose rocker Arms

[jeff540]

Did my LIMG a while back (years) car has been sitting,95 Z26 3100.Engine Knocks,pulled valve covers the other day and noticed all my rockers have some play (side to side) is this normal? Thought we torqued to spec. when we did the gasket.any help? TIA

[Money pit Beretta]

Could be that the lifters are not pumped up. You did say that it had been sitting and that would do it. Just to be sure retorque and take it for a long drive.

[DTMAce]

Two things. As for Torquing to specs, all you really had to do with those is simply tighten till the nut hit the shoulder (of the stud) and give them another 3/4 of a turn or so. They do not have a specific tightening torque.

Second, when you did your LIMG, did you have coolant mixing with your oil? (chocolate colored oil) Did you change the head gaskets at the same time, or even leak test the cylinders to make sure the head gaskets were ok? Not sure how much of a knocking noise you are getting, but it could be lifters, or it could be a rod beginning to go from bearing failure due to running the engine with coolant in the oil.

[jeff540]

would a compression test help me here? I have a craftsman compression tester.

[DTMAce]

Sure, compression test would show if any of the cylinders have issues. That would help indicate a leak. Though to be honest, if it IS a rod starting to go, you are going to be pulling an engine to fix it. May be 3400 swap time.

[3X00-Modified]

rockers will go side to side a little.. if they ROCK in the motion they would when running then you have issues.

If the motor is now knocking, I'm assuming you may have had the LIMG leak for long enough to compromise your lower end bearings.

[jeff540]

Thanks for all the replys,I have been replying and my posts are not showing,don't know why.I am new here and did read that the first 5 posts will be monitored.But I replied back several times and my posts just are not getting through.Thanks guys for all the help.

[Money pit Beretta]

I lost a post myself.
What did you come up with on the rockers?

[jeff540]

I just posted Paragraphs of informatiion on my car and nothing is showing up,any ideas,I am logged in.

[3X00-Modified]

You need to submit it and then wait till its approved, you still do not have 5 posts yet

I have not seen/approved or disapproved any of these "paragraphs" you are speaking of.

[diedemus]

I disapproved 1 post asking about the approval requirement, as far as the paragraphs of text, I have seen none.

There are also no posts in the moderation log for you that were not approved beyond that one.

[jeff540]

yes I diid recieve 1 disapproved post,after i post my 5 posts will I be able to see my posts after I post,Thanks

[jeff540]

Are the metal valve covers better then the plastic ones my Z26 came with? I had to pry and crack my rear one to remove it,rounded a bolt head,tryed everything before I pried and nothing worked.(vice grips,hammering a smaller socket on,my bolt-outs from sears) were to big,required 8mm.don't have that one.sears requires you to buy the other set which they didn't have in my local store.

All the rocker arms are bone dry under the valve covers,no water/oil gunk,no sludge,oil pressure is at half gauge when started cold,idles perfectly from rear of car at duel tips,you wouldn't even know this car had a knocking problem.99,975 miles..what a shame.If I have to replace my motor the car is worth it.It's the Black Rose Z26 that GM came out with.this car sat for 5 or so years after the LIMG and the knock developed.When I purchased the car the lifters were ticking pretty good then,maybe i should have replaced them all.

The next thing I want to do before I check the bearings is: compression test,but It wll have to be performed on a cold engine,can't drive it until I get a licence plate for it.

[Money pit Beretta]

Yeah man the metal ones are better. The plastic ones are prone to cracking. My 3100 has piston slap when it is cold outside. But it doesn't do it in the summer. The lifters are known to go bad on the 3100 and they make a sound like a bad rod.
Just so you know I've been told that you can drop a 3400 in. Using your 3100 injectors and sensors and there will be no need for a computer swap. If you are thinking about doing something like that be sure to ask around here. There are a few guys that can help with this alot more than I can. I just know of it.

[jeff540]

I have done alot of reading about the 3400 upgrade,does anyone know if a 3800 upgrade is available? and will the 95 auto tranny bolt up to a 3800.I was looking on craigslist and found a whole buick regal with the 3800 for cheap,has lost power issues,I'm thinking coilpacks or blocked converter.125,000 miles.700 dollars.car won't go over 20MPH.


Also if my lifters are not pumping up as to cause a rod bearing knock noise,what could I do to try to get them pumping besides buying new ones and changing them out,there 15 bucks a piece,and I believe that I need 12 of them.When I pulled the valve covers it is awfully dry under both covers,but car has not been driven in 4 years.should I start it up with covers removed? If yes what do I look for? make sure all rockers are moving up and down,see if oil is being pumped up(probrobly not) Thanks for all the replys.

Also I notice when I go to submit a reply it takes me to the login page,but on the submit page I am logged in,any thoughts.thanks