69 RT 440 knocking .. is it rocker arms?

[PocketThunder]

I just bought this car (69 RT 440) and the seller told me the first thing he would do is replace the rocker arms.  I get it home and its making some loud knocking noises, and it certainly sounds like its coming from the valve covers.  I pulled one cover off tonight and i could wiggle half the rocker arms with my fingers.  Is this normal?  I would think that all the rocker arms should be tight in any position of the cylinders..  
From left to right in the picture the following rocker arms i could move side to side a little with my fingers: 1,2, 5,6 and 7 was really loose.

Thanks

Paul

[Daytona R/T SE]

Are your rocker shaft bolts tight? 

[c00nhunterjoe]

if you could move them ALOT and the bolts are tight then you may be looking at collapsed lifters. they will have some slop to them.

[PocketThunder]

Are your rocker shaft bolts tight? 

Oh yeah, i tried them and they are T.I.T. tight.

Collapsed lifters?  Just replace the lifters then?  or will this snowball into a big job?

[c00nhunterjoe]

it could be lifters, have you tried running it briefly without the valve cover? try to pinpoint where the noise is exactly coming from. you will make an oily mess but it will help narrow the probelm area down

[tan top]

 from what i can see  looks  like your missing the circle spacers in between the rockers or  the bolt down spacers ! a couple of the tabs at the ends might have worn     although might be the way the picture is though    ??

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Steve, not sure what year those round things were used but mine dont have them either.

Some rockers will be loose depending if the valve is closed or open on that cylinder.

He had chrome aftermarket VC's on there right?  Make sure the rockers arent hitting the VC's

[oldschool]

is it knocking or ticking?

[PocketThunder]

Steve, not sure what year those round things were used but mine dont have them either.

Some rockers will be loose depending if the valve is closed or open on that cylinder.

He had chrome aftermarket VC's on there right?  Make sure the rockers arent hitting the VC's

When i bought the car I asked for the original valve covers and he told me these are the originals that he had chrome plated.

is it knocking or ticking?

Its knocking.  I'll run it tonight and take a video and put it on youtube. 

[tan top]

Steve, not sure what year those round things were used but mine dont have them either.

Some rockers will be loose depending if the valve is closed or open on that cylinder.

He had chrome aftermarket VC's on there right?  Make sure the rockers arent hitting the VC's

hmmmm as far as i know  , all though i awaite to be corrected , & what i have seen  , all the  OEM stamped steel rockers on a shaft should have them , they are even in the latest mopar 505 ci 500 crate motor , although made out of aluminum , .. & need replacing with the old type cast iron type , as they wear out  quick

[TylerCharger69]

Another possibility is this....Being a 69 engine, these were made to run regular LEADED fuels.  The heads may not have had hardened seats installed and may have caused the valves to sink into the head.....I've seen that before....I'd take the heads to the machine shop and have them redone with hardened seats installed, along with lifter replacement....and make sure you have all of your spacers in place.   That instance could've caused camshaft damage as well.  The rockers may be making the noise, but something a bit deeper is causing that.....Ace

[PocketThunder]

Bad news, my Dad was over and he's been a mechanic since before my time and he said it sounds like a main rod bearing.  So it looks like my winter project this year will be to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild.  But that's probably a good thing anyways.  Then its all gone through and I should be in good shape for years to come.

Paul 

[tan top]

oh no !! well  with any luck !! the crank is ok & is just a set of bearings  ... hows the oil pressure ??

[PocketThunder]

oh no !! well  with any luck !! the crank is ok & is just a set of bearings  ... hows the oil pressure ??

Oil pressure is good.  between 30 and 40 if the guage is correct.  I'll have to check it directly and double check.

[sixty8charger]

i got the same problem on my 440.  except.. my oil pressure drops drastically then it starts to knock.  does good at idle, but raise it just a tad (say from the 700rpm idle to 1000) and the knocking is like cRaZy! ..  i have yet to pull the engine out.

[694spdRT]

Bad news, my Dad was over and he's been a mechanic since before my time and he said it sounds like a main rod bearing.  So it looks like my winter project this year will be to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild.  But that's probably a good thing anyways.  Then its all gone through and I should be in good shape for years to come.

Paul  

Sorry to hear the 440 is a little sick.

You know I still have that 4bt Cummins diesel that we talked about.  

[PocketThunder]

Bad news, my Dad was over and he's been a mechanic since before my time and he said it sounds like a main rod bearing.  So it looks like my winter project this year will be to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild.  But that's probably a good thing anyways.  Then its all gone through and I should be in good shape for years to come.

Paul  

Sorry to hear the 440 is a little sick.

You know I still have that 4bt Cummins diesel that we talked about.  

I would get better gas mileage...            

PS hang onto it.