Cascade Crew

Xophertony · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 2:07 am Post subject:

"valvetrain" is gear head slang and abbreviation for all the moving parts in the cylandar head. the valves, rocker arms, pushrods and adjuster bolts. everything to do with opening and closing the valves except the camshaft. but typing all of that takes for ever, so we shorten it to "valvetrain".

just because you had "performance exhaust" installed does not mean there are no leaks. headers (i assume you have headers if you have "performance exhaust") have an amazing ability to rattle the bolts loose.

one thing i have noticed with the 2.8/3.1 platform is the damn EGR feed pipe comes loose from the exhaust maniflds and starts rattling. i owned my car for almost a year before i figured that one out. car sounded much better once i tightened it back down and replaced the gasket.

if you are runnig stock manifolds with a "performance exhaust" catback system (refers to exhaust that is from the catalytic converter back) then you will want to check around the exhaust manifold for leaks. the gasket GM installs at the factory is prety good. but after a while they can break down. my 2.8 (that i no longer drive) STILL has a small manifold leak.

i would also check around where the manifolds meet the "y"pipe. another place leaks can start.

to check for leaks start the car and open the hood. now BE CAREFUL, but put your hand as near to the joints i have described above and feel for "wind" coming out of the joints. if there are any leaks they should be easy enough to find. exhaust is hot however, so be carefull.

realisticaly even if you had open headers without a ypipe it would not realy cause the car to act as you are describing... i think it is probably a problem with the valves. since it is an intermittent problem.

good luck with your diagnosis and repair. don't give up on her yet.. these 60*V6 engines can take quite the many years of abuse. as long as you stay away from the power adders Wink

then you will realy know what a broken rod will do Shocked

Danked · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 3:13 am Post subject:

i can get power adders for this motor? o_O where, how much, what is it, i want to go faster!

but........... thats not the point of this thread, if u really care to tell me, just pm plz

and guys thanks for the help, if anyone ever needs something... im sure i can get it from the crackhead with the camaro down the road

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Am I the onlt one who doesn't agree with tightenning the rocker nut until you can barely turn the pushrod. That will usually be too tight. You want to tighten the nut until you take the vertical play out of the pushrod, then a quarter or half turn more. At this setting the pushrod should still spin.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:11 am Post subject:

Tony - actually, the word "Valve train components" is the title of the chapter on page 2B-3 in the Haynes manual. Razz

Danked - If you think you're having problems with the top end now, just wait till you blow an old stock V6. Then you will know the true meaning of automotive problems.

rjmcgee - This is from the same Haynes manual (V6 section), page 2B-6 if you want to check it. It actually suggest tightening more than i remembered:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:34 am Post subject:

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject:

Yes, but Haynes suggesting turning 3/4 of a turn after you fill said resistance, not 1/4. Ironically, if you did it both ways, it would probably come out about equal.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

I don't like the haynes books.

Trouble is the perception. Sometimes I wasn't sure if it was actually zero lash or if it was just under... so I always went 1/4 + 1/8th turn and was always safe.

It's better to be a little loose, than too tight IMHO as I feel better. So some people say 1/4 some say 1/2.... the hydraulic picks up the slack... so I figure in the middle is golden.

Rod I can't check mine with the engine running for two reasons... one... I set lash to thousandths Cool

and 2... even when I had hydraulic lifters, oil shot all over the engine bay!

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Hehe, my oil don't shoot all over the place. Nice to only have 10psi oil pressure at idle. Laughing

Plus I took an old valve cover and cut the top out so it was even cleaner.

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject:

Xophertony · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:10 pm Post subject:

yeah... i forgot about that.