You may remember my issues from a broken valve spring, http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228408. Thanks again for all your help.

When I found the broken spring on the #7 intake valve I noted that the push rod was also bent. I replaced the spring and put an old push rod in which was the same length as my new ones. I re-assembled everything and set the rocker arm while running, one half turn past clacking going away.

I have a noise that started a week or so ago that sounds like a lifter. I pulled the valve cover last night to check it. I had to turn the rocker arm nut out over two turns to get it to clack! I did it a few times to be sure. There is oil coming up the push rod. I drove it about 10 miles, went in to the gym then on the way home I notice another noise. It is a little different than the previous noise but it definitely sounds like a lifter!

Is it possible the lifter was damaged when the valve spring broke? I didn't drive it much like that but I am sure it doesn't take much for broken parts to take out other parts. I don't have any of my old lifters, can I just put in another used one or should it be new? I assume I will apply assembly lube and sort of follow a cam break-in procedure.

You had to back it off 2 turns to make it clack? I f you had to tighten it 2 turns to make it stop you might have a cam going flat. I f you have a bad lifter you can replace it with a new lifter but get back to us, on that adjustment.

Dave

No, I had to back it off about 2 turns to make it clack but then I only tightened it a half turn.

Sounds like you had it way too tight then. I am sure it runs better now. Re-adjust all of them.

Dave

I did find that the clip was missing from the lifter, the one that holds it all together. I did put a new lifter in with assembly lube and ran it about 10 minutes this morning. I knew something was up!

I'd be a bit concerned as to the location of that missing clip. Hopefully it made it to the bottom of the pan.

With any luck I can get the car at an angle, drain the oil and fish it out at the drain plug hole. Otherwise the pan will have to come off this fall.