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I got a 79 Luv Mikado 4x4 and the guy told me the the lifters were ticking the last time he drove it (about 5 years ago). So I took off the valve cover to see what was goin' on. I had my dad helpin me adjust the rocker clearance, .006 intake .010 exhaust, just like the book says, I reinstalled the valve cover and fired it up... still ticks! So today after church, I re removed the valve cover and did it aagin, just like the book says, get #1 at TDC and adjust #1 intake and exhaust, #2 intake, and #3 exhaust. Crank over one turn and repeat the process starting with #4. re re installed the valve cover... guess what, it still ticks! Its not just one, it sounds like all of them are clattering, so if you can help me PLEASE DO!!!

Be sure the timing chain tensioner is set right. If you have any question about it just ask again.

You push it down with a long screwdriver and make sure the slot is from front to back. The photo shows the tensioner with the slot from side to side. The plastic rod has a slot that must be in line with the front to the back. It's in front of the timing chain sprocket. You can see it with the top cover removed. Is it set properly?

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

I agree with fullaluv, but also make sure engine is cold before adjusting valves. I'd check cam for signs of wear do to low or no oil pressure at some time. I've had an engine plug a passage and starve a cam lobe from oil pressure, causing noise and destroying cam and rocker arm. If noise is still there after this and proper valve adjustment, noise is probably loose wrist pins, (which can sound like valve train noise), or rod bearings. Good luck.....

Bad hit

just how bad of a tick is it?

every G series engine ive owned has ticked to some extent. thats just the way they sound. they have noisy top ends.

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"but its that gut feeling of you're drawn to what feels right for yourself and what you're passionate about..."

Yep, even a good running Luv can still sound something like a singer sewing machine

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FIAA: Color Guard

For a more accurate adjustment do your measuring at the cam not the valve i know its harder to do but far more accurate then at the valve.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

i have done everything to stop mine even rebuild the motor but nothing worked and it runs strong so if it sounds like this i wouldn't worry

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My old but now gone Luv...

Sounds just like mine, and it runs great.

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FIAA: Color Guard

Most all mechanical lifters will make a little noise because you have to have a little play between the rocker and the valve to keep from breaking something as a hydraulic system can adjust to everything.

my nissan 720 truck, allways had that noise, and it ran great until it was totaled at 204,000 miles.

the tick is pretty bad, it sounds like all of them are makin' noise, but I have another Luv that is completely quiet, so I dont know what the problem is. My dad said we should run it with the valve cover off to hear which ones are the loudest, so we took it off and i got in and started it, much to my suprise my dad was standing outside with his head near the timing chain and got covered in oil. but anyway, thanks for all your comments and if you think of anything else, please post.

is the cam worn? maybe the rocker arms are worn?

How's the oil pressure? If it's not getting enough oil up to the top end, it will wear down the cam lobes and make the valve train clatter like the devil.

A plugged up pickup tube for the oil pump in the oil pan, too many oil leaks, a plugged up and/or inferior oil filter, real dirty sludged up oil, plugged up oil routes, a worn out oil pump, or using the wrong vicosity grade of oil could possibly cause that.

Years ago when I still had my auto repair shop, a kid came in with his engine's valves clattering real loud because he was running practically straight stp oil treatment in it.

He said he bought a whole case and decided to put it all in his engine when he changed the oil because he thought it would protect it better and give it more power. That had everybody around the shop laughing about it all day...lol

Well ya know, "if a little is good, then alot must be better"

My son had a similar experience acting off what someone at Jiffy Lube told him about his valve clatter... they told him he needed to add oil(since he obviously had a leak)... so he added oil, alot, left the house, made it about 15 blcks then his engine seized. Later found out from him that he had added about 3 qts too many. I think we all know what happens to oil in a high speed blender...


Back to suggestions... I was wondering if maybe you vave springs are just completly worn out? Have you checked the compression or clearance of them?

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FIAA: Color Guard

If you still have the problem check to see if the the timing is right, when I got mine the guy I got it from turned the Cam 180 made it real noisy like a big buzz saw, so I turned it back over redid the adjustment then it ran normal, Hope you get it working

I've got a g180/200 hybrid motor that came to me just like that and it makes some awful rattling noises too. It comes and goes depending on RPM, and sounds like a marble loose in the timing cover. I would not have thought the cam being 180 off would cause anything odd provided the plug wires were 180 out to match. Next time it is sunny I'll have to pull the cam/rockers and get it put back on right to see if my noise goes away.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good