Hi guys,the car developed a noise on the back bank after replacing valve stem seals. Everything else is alright ,timing is good ,running ok just having a "tac-tac noise on the rear bank. I assume is a hydraulic lifter. Any idea about what can be wrong?The oil level is ok just the oil is thicker ,i think 25w40. Might be the oil?

Sounds a bit nasty. How long have you run it with the noise? Lifter noise should fade away in a minute or so. Something else might be loose. Maybe one of the lifters dropped out.

i've been careful when i put them back,it's not a big noise probably "tac-tac"it's not the right description,rather a ticking noise. Problem is the noise wasn't there before even with the thick oil.Maybe wrong torque on bolts?

I assume you didn't disconnect the power steering hose and lose a lot of oil? I did when I removed the heads. That sounded like a clatter from the rear bank until I fully topped it up again.

How about the timing belt covers? Are they rubbing on a belt or pulley?

certainly would be getting that oil out and putting in some penrite 10w/30-40 and run for a bit. Reckon that should sort it. Oil is out of spec for these motors

Yeah that's a very heavy oil grade you've got there. I'd start by trying an oil more closely aligned to the recommendation in the manufacturer's manual.

Unless ambient temp where you live gets above 35-40 or you have an oil consumption issue, you don't really need anything more than a 5w-30.

I have one lifter which ticks in winter when I use a slightly heavier grade.

Does the noise go away with a few revs?

I know someone who did the same job and those little metal spring type things that hold the rocker arms in place got loose and made a noise.

Does the noise go away with a few revs?

I know someone who did the same job and those little metal spring type things that hold the rocker arms in place got loose and made a noise.

Good point. When I removed my rocker covers I noticed that one of the spring/spacer thingys was jammed against the spark plug tube and was hanging half off. Something similar could easliy happen when the rocker shafts were bolted back on. Its would be an easy thing to miss if you are not actually looking for it.

Thanks for all advices,replaced the lifters on the back bank with new ones,retightened the rocker tube bolts,changed the oil with penrite 15w40 and everything looks good. Don't know which one was the culprit.Happy to have the car back on the road for monday .

Is it nice and quiet now?
How much were the lifters?

Thanks for all advices,replaced the lifters on the back bank with new ones,retightened the rocker tube bolts,changed the oil with penrite 15w40 and everything looks good. Don't know which one was the culprit.Happy to have the car back on the road for monday .

Well done. Where did you get new lifters on a Sunday?

Yep,all good. I paid around 7$ each (can't find the invoice).I was lucky to find them on Sprint Auto Parts,kilkenny,Adelaide on a sunday.Still have the eternal problem,rocking cover gasket leaking. I've bought a 1/4 torque wrench tighten as per manual specs ,still leaking.

Some years ago my son-in-law introduced me to a saying which has served me well. "Do your best and silicone the rest." This has got me out of a few well dug holes over the years. I re-built a 308 V8 and the only gaskets I used were the head gaskets. Same with a Commodore V6. brand new rocker gaskets leaked. Pulled the covers off, degreased them and sat the gaskets back in the grooves in a small bead of silicone. Leaks all gone. I hear all the nay sayers rattling on about "silastic" but why would the manufacturers make the product if it does not work. I know it does work as I have used it many times. Also I have seen many jobs done by mechanic tradies with attractively coloured silicone hanging out of various joins.

Two months ago replaced timing belt,water pump,tensioner,all ended up good ,no problems at all. Replaced the rocker cover gasket with a brand new one as the original was cooked.Tightened the rocker bolts with a normal ratchet spanner trying not to overdue it ,leaking on the rear bank. Started the engine ,tightened a bit more as it was a bit loose still leaking. Yesterday replaced valve seals,lifter,oil,oil filter and bought a new pair of rocker gaskets ,different brand than initial ones and more expensive. To make sure i do the right thing i bought a small (1/4) torque wrench and tightened the bolts at 4.0 N/m, the lowest mark on the wrench. Still have a few drops of oil on the back of rear bank .

Some years ago my son-in-law introduced me to a saying which has served me well. "Do your best and silicone the rest." This has got me out of a few well dug holes over the years. I re-built a 308 V8 and the only gaskets I used were the head gaskets. Same with a Commodore V6. brand new rocker gaskets leaked. Pulled the covers off, degreased them and sat the gaskets back in the grooves in a small bead of silicone. Leaks all gone. I hear all the nay sayers rattling on about "silastic" but why would the manufacturers make the product if it does not work. I know it does work as I have used it many times. Also I have seen many jobs done by mechanic tradies with attractively coloured silicone hanging out of various joins.

If a joint is designed properley (enought bolts, right gasket material/thickness, rigid enough etc.) it should seal with just the gasket. A lot of mechanics will use silicone anyway just to reduce the risk of a comeback, particularly if the joint is in a hard to get at spot.