Hi Folks,
Spring is almost here and I'm planning my first road trip with my 55 series ll.
Thought I'd check the rocker arms and valve clearances. The last adjustment was done by a friend and I'm not sure he did it correctly.
As I haven't adjusted the valves on a any stovebolt in something like 50 years, or so, I thought I'd do a dry run to be sure everything under the valve cover is OK.
No sooner had the cover off and I found something that confuses me. Lined up the timing mark, had the rotor pointing to #1, and it appears that both #1 intake and exhaust valves were closed. The motor was cold but there was no valve play anywhere! Shouldn't some of the valves show some play?
When warmed up, compression is excellent and equal on all cylinders HOWEVER, the engine "Rattles" above 2500RPM and when I start it ice cold it also has what seems like a bearing knock until the oil pressure is up. Now I am wondering if the valves are too tight and if that could be the reason for the noise when warm above 2500RPM.
Oil pressure is very good when warm and it starts right up now that I changed the battery. Did a load test on the old "new" battery and it collapsed almost immediately down to less than 6 Volts. That was the reason for my hard starting problem.
Will reset the timing and install new plug wires after I get the valves sorted out. I want to eliminate possible pre ignition problems.
If any one has some suggestions - I sure could use a few comments to settle my confusion.
Many Thanks
