1977 350 ci tune-up

[InsouciantSoul]

So popping the hood, i heard a slight "ticking" noise, coming from the drivers side, rear of engine. Putting my fingers against each spark plug i noticed the one in the back was rattling. (I just replaced the plugs wires and rotor a few weeks ago) Tightened her up, started her up, still a ticking. I decided to take it off entirely to see if it was somehow burnt out. It had a fair bit of oil around the gasket part, maybe it was cross threaded? Anyhow it broke taking it off - so I'll have to wait until I go buy a fresh plug to know if that was the source of the ticking noise. Could it be something else?

While I'm there, I'm going to buy a new fuel and oil filter for her, because I haven't since I got her a few months ago. Is there a particular kind that is best?

I want to clean the engine out good, is there a certain additive I should put in my gas for one tank? Is there something I run through the oil reservoir while I change the oil? Is there a certain/best kind of oil I should fill her up with?

This is my second truck and first one I've taken care of, so I'm a big noob to it all. I've heard something about "carbon build up" ? *shrug* educate me please!

[meatwagon83]

my bet is a rocker or an exhaust leak, i dont know bout these other guys but i have mistaken a small exhaust leak for valvetrain noise before!

[InsouciantSoul]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

my bet is a rocker or an exhaust leak, i dont know bout these other guys but i have mistaken a small exhaust leak for valvetrain noise before!

So it may be coming from the top end of the header? When I get that new spark plug in- I'll try to take a video and see if the noise is audible. I'll share it and maybe someone can identify it. My friend has a stethoscope I'm going to snag later this evening to try to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from.

[kjc292]

you said something about an additive about running through the engine. well if i remember right a couple of older guys at my work and boss's who are big chevy guys say run a quart of atf(automatic transmission fluid) with the next old change. after a thousand miles or maybe a 100( hopefully somebody has heard of this) do another oil change. one reason it will burn up if i remember correctly, but will get that build up of the engine out and cleanse the built oup gunk and also better lubricate the rings on the cylinders. old school trick from what i've heard. im also a newbie, just 23 but work around a lot of 40-50 year olds that enjoy older cars(still USA made, just how we like our tools). I've also heard that if you put an additive in a old engine that hasnt been tuned or anything your just asking for adjustments. kind of like flushing an old transmission. the gunk is what's making it run and not making noise.

[kjc292]

also if you think its an exhaust leak just take off the headers and look the gasket, its an easy job and something good to do. if you have a leak the gasket will tell you right off the bat. since it just started, you probably wont have to get anything machined. I'd also like to hear that audible. i have more of clacking sound...

[CamraMaan]

Originally Posted by InsouciantSoul

So popping the hood, i heard a slight "ticking" noise, coming from the drivers side, rear of engine. Putting my fingers against each spark plug i noticed the one in the back was rattling. (I just replaced the plugs wires and rotor a few weeks ago) Tightened her up, started her up, still a ticking. I decided to take it off entirely to see if it was somehow burnt out. It had a fair bit of oil around the gasket part, maybe it was cross threaded? Anyhow it broke taking it off - so I'll have to wait until I go buy a fresh plug to know if that was the source of the ticking noise. Could it be something else?

While I'm there, I'm going to buy a new fuel and oil filter for her, because I haven't since I got her a few months ago. Is there a particular kind that is best?

I want to clean the engine out good, is there a certain additive I should put in my gas for one tank? Is there something I run through the oil reservoir while I change the oil? Is there a certain/best kind of oil I should fill her up with?

This is my second truck and first one I've taken care of, so I'm a big noob to it all. I've heard something about "carbon build up" ? *shrug* educate me please!

Fuel filters are so cheap that there's no reason not to get the best/most expensive one... oh no, its a dollar more! And for the oil filter, since they are not all made the same, spending a little extra can certainly be worth it. Not sure what brands are offered around you, but any auto parts store with a decent selection will have someone knowledgeable enough to point you in the right direction.

As for the gas additive, I swear by Seafoam, which I actually just got a can of yesterday as well! On top of that, Lucas Oils makes a fuel additive in a big ($10?) bottle that you only use like 3 ounces per refill, and lasts about 10 tanks, give or take. I've tested this one on a couple different vehicles, starting out using premium gas at a quality gas station for a couple tanks, and listen to the engine, feel the relative power at the pedal, do an elementary calculation on mileage, etc. Then go get the cheap Arco gas, lowest octane, but use the Lucas additive, and run that for a few tanks. Its impressive just how well that stuff can make cheap gas do wonders! And the additive is around a buck a tank, but you'll save a LOT more than that at the fuel pump, considering the relative performance.

Last, as is mentioned in the following quote (posted above), a quart of ATF once a year in an oil change is an old mechanics trick. My brother-in-law is a master mechanic, there's nothing he can't fix or build, and he recommended that to me a while back as well. I always forget to do it though. The other one I do is either a big bottle of the Lucas Oil additive, or a big bottle of HyperLube... after you drain you oil, plug it back up, empty a full bottle of one of those two, then "fill up" with an oil appropriate for you engine and mileage. I use one of those every time I change my oil.

Originally Posted by kjc292

you said something about an additive about running through the engine. well if i remember right a couple of older guys at my work and boss's who are big chevy guys say run a quart of atf(automatic transmission fluid) with the next old change. after a thousand miles or maybe a 100( hopefully somebody has heard of this) do another oil change. one reason it will burn up if i remember correctly, but will get that build up of the engine out and cleanse the built oup gunk and also better lubricate the rings on the cylinders. old school trick from what i've heard. im also a newbie, just 23 but work around a lot of 40-50 year olds that enjoy older cars(still USA made, just how we like our tools). I've also heard that if you put an additive in a old engine that hasnt been tuned or anything your just asking for adjustments. kind of like flushing an old transmission. the gunk is what's making it run and not making noise.

And just to confirm, as I guess I already did above, I've also been encouraged to use a quart of ATF in an oil change. I wanna say my brother-in-law said once a year in an oil change, but the more I think about it, I just can't remember for sure. Knowing what he can do, and how many other mechanics go to him when they run into problems, I trust him more than any Napa/AutoZone employee, or any mechanic for that matter.

[79Betty]

I'm weary of the ATF trick. My 350 spun a rod bearing as of this. But my bud does it 2x a year and no problem.
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[kjc292]

yeah, its something i havent tried but i heard it works and i figured he wouldnt recommend it to me if he had a bad experience.