Topic: Well, There's your problem
in Forum: C3 Engines
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Took the valve cover off and found a little problem. Guess roller rockers are in order.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Better than a blown rod? Were these new , or reinstalled when you had the engine work done? Hopefully it's a quick and cheap fix. Good luck and watch the back. Big Al
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
So are larger valve covers.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Rock On, Wayne!!! 
Be sure to check the lifter to make sure it hasn't come too far out of the bore, and....when yo get it back together, leave the valve cover off and start it...make SURE all of the rockers are getting oil on them. It might make a small oil mess, but it's better than a friggin tow bill. That rocker could have failed for several reasons....fatigue, not hardened properly, too much lift/coil bind, or....no oil/lube. Check that pushrod for straightness, and that the hole in the middle is open all the way thru.
Hope it's that simple of a fix! But it would explain the noise....and the poof of smoke.
Be sure to check the lifter to make sure it hasn't come too far out of the bore, and....when yo get it back together, leave the valve cover off and start it...make SURE all of the rockers are getting oil on them. It might make a small oil mess, but it's better than a friggin tow bill. That rocker could have failed for several reasons....fatigue, not hardened properly, too much lift/coil bind, or....no oil/lube. Check that pushrod for straightness, and that the hole in the middle is open all the way thru.
Hope it's that simple of a fix! But it would explain the noise....and the poof of smoke.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
I've got a set of valve covers in mind but WOW
are they pricey. Not sure if these will fit but they have tall ones as well.
are they pricey. Not sure if these will fit but they have tall ones as well.Joel, with the way my back has been I'm going to send it out to have done. Same place that did the alignment. Sarge81 sent me to them and they're good. Besides if they do something wrong I can always blame him!
|UPDATED|6/11/2014 9:41:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Dave, if you do buy a set of roller rocker arms, please do not buy rocker arms by Proform. They are Chinese junk! I made the mistake years ago and they almost cost me an engine after they disintegrated. Buy something decent like Crane Golds or something along those lines.
My preference has been American made Harland-Sharp rocker arms. I've been putting them in "LS" engines with great success. Big cams and spinning the engines to 7000 rpms with no failures. Like most roller rockers you will pickup some valve train noise.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
dads2vette said:Besides if they do something wrong I can always blame him!
Spoken like a typical customer....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Engines
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)