onebadredss

I took off the valve cover today to check my valve springs and rods... my engine has been sounding like a sewing machine lately... well i grabbed the springs with my 2 fingers and my thumb and i would move the spring side to side like wiggle it... was is wrong and is that normal?

mvvette97

iTrader: (18)

are you shaking just the spring or the valve stem also? You may be able to move the spring some but if the valve stem moves then the guides are bad for the valve. If that's the case then you need a good head job..

onebadredss

the springs are the only thing that moves... so i guess that isn't the sound

mvvette97

iTrader: (18)

do you have the stock cam and everything? You could have some pushrods bent just a little and also check all the rockers to make sure it didn't spit any of the needle bearings out.

onebadredss

how do i check that?

onebadredss

and yes i have the stock cam

mvvette97

iTrader: (18)

At the pivit point on the rocker arm you should be able to see if the needle bearing is still togethor. I would think if the needle bearing was bad then the rocker may be setting kinda lop sided. You would also find little needles on your oil drain plug.
The only way to check the pushrods to see if they are bent is to remove all the rockers and pull the pushrods out and roll them on a flat glass.

highgear

I had a broken valve spring once that wiggled like that.

onebadredss

hmmm... well i'll see what i can do... im taking off the other valve cover off in about an hour