My 318 was leaking a little from the valve cover so I decided to change it. I swapped it in and then started it up and it ran fine but starting spitting up even more oil than before. I'm sure the gasket wasn't on right so I took it off and then straightened it out. This time I bumped one of the pushrods and then it came loose so I took the rocker arm shaft off and put it back. Bolted over thing up and now when I start it it makes this awesome crack/ping noise and it barely runs. It sounds like the engine is destroying itself so I quickly shut it off. I took off the valve cover again and adjusted the rocker arm and push rods and tried it again and the same awful noise came back. Any idea why this could be? I didn't take any of the spark plug wires off so they are still in the correct order. Didn't touch the timing or anything. Could it be that the pushrods aren't on right?

 

74 -

Bent push rod, dead lifter or collapsed/broken spring are the first things to rule out.

You can use a stethoscope or metal rod to ID which cylinder, and focus in that.

Holler back.

Archer

 

Sounds like you might not have got the push rod back in the lifter seat?

 

Didn't happen to drop something did you?

 

If you just bumped a pushrod and it came loose, you had more problems than a leaking gasket. I would do a good inspection of all of the pushrods and rockers for damage and wear. Pull the pushrods out one at a time and roll them on a flat surface to see if they are bent and check the ends for wear. Inspect each rocker for wear or damage. Reassemble using a manual if needed and secure the fasteners to the proper torque. Before you put the cover back on, remove your spark plugs and unplug the coil wire and have someone crank the engine over. Watch and listen for any problems.

 

On B Bodies he said he found a "very bent pushrod".

 

That will do it....lol