Last week my engine was making a ticking noise, it stopped. I got lucky, I'm still going to adjust the valves, just in case...
On the other hand my friend with a '77 is having some serious engine trouble. I went over to his house to check it out, thought it would just be a fuel pump or something simple, nope! It sounds like there are bolts inside the intake manifold being slammed around! Not good... The car will run for a minute and then stall. He said that he was on the highway at about 3500 RPMs when the car first died. Any thoughts on what it might be?
Also, while I was looking under his hood I noticed that he didn't have smog tubes, an AIR pump, or even the stock valve cover breather. He recently passed smog and as we live in CA my jaw dropped! Did '77 not have that smog stuff? (Mine's a '78) How did he pass? What's the deal?

id pull the covers and see it he bent or snapped a pushrod.. this would lead to a lifter popping out and a rattling noise under the intake.

or could have busted a cam lobe.. dont start it anymore.. find the problem..

Mine acted and sounded about the same when a rocker arm stud broke. Pull the covers and look around.

Yes, pull the covers and look around.

And the 77 did have all of the emission equipment you 78 has. Almost exactly the same. I have no idea how he got by.

Thanks guys, I'll pass on the info. Also, I heard another roomer from a buddy of mine. He told me that you can convert your car to natural gas, then have it registered as a natural gas car. After that, you'll never have to smog. I'm going to look into this and see how costly it is. My plan would be to do this and then swap in a crazy small block (normal gasoline of course) along with some sidepipes, devious I know, but I'm desperate! Tell me if this is a ridiculously stupid idea or not...

Refueling could be a bear with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). But it does work, and can produce a lot of power when set up correctly. I do know of several vehicle that use that technology. In fact many goverment vehicles, as well as city busses and taxis use CNG. I am certified in CNG with the "Alternative Fuel" certification from ASE.

BUT you need fuel storage tanks that take up a lot of room, or you have almost no range. Not many places in a C3 for large CNG tanks.

There is emerging technology for much smaller much higher pressure tanks in the works. If this comes to pass, it would be more pratical for on board problems, but the refill would be even more of a challange.

You can get pressure pumps to connect to your home gas line, and fill the car. But away from home is difficult.