rebuilt engine on van and now pushrods are making clinking noise. My boyfriend didnt mark where each one went?

Question

First started by fixing head gasket. forgot to mark where short and long pushrods went. now thinks they are in wrong place. How do i figure which ones go where. difference between exhaust and intake pushrods. Any help or website i could find layout pictures would sure help me fix my van for me and 5 children. thanks

Answer 1

Why didn't you think to put the year make and model of the van>

Answer 2

There probably isn't enough difference in the length of the pushrods to make any difference where they go. The valve lash needs adjusting. I have to assume this is the situation because you did not include any specific info about the van or engine.
You can go to www.autozone.com and there are some repair details there. I would think if someone knew how to change a head gasket he would also know how to adjust valves or at least know where to look to learn how. Where did he look up the head bolt torque values (or did he)?
The thing about the short and long push rods, If it made a difference, I would think the long ones would not fit where the short ones should be. Just look up the procedures for your engine and see what it says.

Answer 3

This is normal "noise" when a push rod isn't squeezed tigtht enough between the lifter(s) and rocker arm(s). The push rods should be the same length.

With the valve covers off he can tighten very slowly the rocker arm nuts until the clicking noise ceases and then turn it slowly one half turn. It takes a little patience since they all will be rattling at the same time and oil will be splashing on the exhaust manifold making it smoke but you'll get through it.

Once you get them all quiet then you can go back through one at a time and back the nut off until it just starts to rattle and then gently repeat the tightening proceedure. Just enough to make it stop rattling and then gently one half to one full turn more on the nut and that's it. Put the valve covers back on and drive it 'til it blows, again.

Most heads warp and this is what causes the gasket to start leaking. The head should be gauged and resurfaced if it is warped. This is done at a machine shop or they'll just swap your head for one that has been rebuilt. Normally around $200 for a swap if your head is rebuildable.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Might want to purchase a service manual for your vehicle. You can generally get them at about any auto parts store. And are only about $20.00 or $25.00. All your questions will be answered in there. If you do have long and short push rods it's a good guess one is for intake and one for exhaust. Lets hope if a long push rod was put in a short push rod hole it doesn't keep the valve from closing completely and risk having the piston hit the valve. If it just sounds like one or a few ticking you may just have a, or more, weak or collapsed lifter and it may pump itself up or they too may need to be replaced.

Answer 5

Adjust the valve lash.