noisy valves 1965 GTO

[jimbay1932]

I just purchased a 1965 GTO. It has a stock 389 ci engine. It cranks up and idles fine with just a slight ticking sound coming from the valve covers. Under normal driving the the noise increases while normal going thru the gears and gets louder as the RPM's go up. I have put a bottle of 104 octane boost in the gas tank when filling up and it makes no difference. I also added a can of STP with no change. I want to fix this before major damage is done. Thanks for any help.

[Sterling_Six]

Originally Posted by jimbay1932

I just purchased a 1965 GTO. It has a stock 389 ci engine. It cranks up and idles fine with just a slight ticking sound coming from the valve covers. Under normal driving the the noise increases while normal going thru the gears and gets louder as the RPM's go up. I have put a bottle of 104 octane boost in the gas tank when filling up and it makes no difference. I also added a can of STP with no change. I want to fix this before major damage is done. Thanks for any help.

Hello and good day:

OUCH!! This sounds like a Loose Rocker, and Tappit for your Valves. Have you pulled the Cover and checked this???

Please advise further.

[jimbay1932]

Thanks for the reply. I was going to pull the valve covers this weekend. Any suggestions on adjusting or should I leave it to a mechanic?

[Sterling_Six]

Originally Posted by jimbay1932

Thanks for the reply. I was going to pull the valve covers this weekend. Any suggestions on adjusting or should I leave it to a mechanic?

If you are mechanically inclined, and have some basic tools you can do this yourself....I would recommend that you first go to Autozone, or Advance Auto, and buy a repair manual for your car...Haynes or a Chilton manual. Make sure you get the right one for your Year of vehicle.

While there pick up a valve cover gasket set,,,and some Permatex sealer.

If the Rocker Arm is loose you may just have to torque it down...

If you feel unconformable with this....then I would strongly suggest you take it to a trusted Mechanic.

Good luck and good Repairing....any further help please advise.

[jimbay1932]

I will check it this weekend and let you know. Thanks again for the reply. Jim

[Johnp33]

You have Hydraulic lifters in that engine, STP is the very worst thing you can put in It will only gum up the lifters, what I would do before you start taking it apart is, you need to clean the Lifters. Take it for drive to warm it up then add a QUART of ATF, Yes ATF and over full, and take it for a leisurely drive, No high RPM's and no high loading, give it 30 min, bring it back and drain the oil. ATF is the best detergent, and flush I have seen. Taking it apart and changing lifters or adjusting them with STP "crap" in them is a waste of time, do the flush. Take it for an hour's drive then if you still have the noise, pull the covers and feel which ones are loose and be sure you have good can lift, then adjust.

[jwko]

Originally Posted by Johnp33

You have Hydraulic lifters in that engine, STP is the very worst thing you can put in It will only gum up the lifters, what I would do before you start taking it apart is, you need to clean the Lifters. Take it for drive to warm it up then add a QUART of ATF, Yes ATF and over full, and take it for a leisurely drive, No high RPM's and no high loading, give it 30 min, bring it back and drain the oil. ATF is the best detergent, and flush I have seen. Taking it apart and changing lifters or adjusting them with STP "crap" in them is a waste of time, do the flush. Take it for an hour's drive then if you still have the noise, pull the covers and feel which ones are loose and be sure you have good can lift, then adjust.

Good post John. ATF is a excellent detergent! I used it one time down the carb (little at a time) to free up sticking rings. Smoked like a freight train for a bit, but worked.