Is this dangerous?

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Mar 26, 2008 13:06:50
sam66mgb
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While driving about last evening a terrible clatter was heard from under the hood. I returned home, popped the hood and it seems to be a valve issue. Can I run the engine with the cover off to verify or am I asking for trouble(and a shower of oil)
BTW.. no problems with lost oil pressure or temp. Just a lot of clacking..

Sam

Mar 26, 2008 13:09:47
Derek up North
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Have you taken the cover off (with the engine off) to see what's going on in there?





Mar 26, 2008 13:13:31
NH72MG
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Sam,
Sounds like the same problem I ran into last year, I took off the valve cover and found one of the bolts ready to come off.....talk about a large valve clearance gap....checked the rod, etc........tightened and re-gapped and all was well with the world.

Mar 26, 2008 13:15:00
sam66mgb
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Derek up North Wrote:

Quote: "
Have you taken the cover off (with the engine off) to see what's going on in there?
"


No not yet.. I'll go do that and report back.

Mar 26, 2008 13:38:39
B..seein ya
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You can run with the valve cover off though it tends to get messy.

Mar 26, 2008 13:44:32
sam66mgb
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sam66mgb Wrote:

Quote: "
Derek up North Wrote:Quote:
Have you taken the cover off (with the engine off) to see what's going on in there?
No not yet.. I'll go do that and report back.
"


Well i popped off the cover and used the button to turn it over and lo and behold, what this.. seems my generator bolt loosened up the fan belt was makin the noise with my water pump.. please add me to the list of those folks who suffered similar fates.. I guess it goes with the territory.. you think something is wrong,dive into it only to find that isn't what it was! LOL :)

Sam

Mar 26, 2008 13:48:52
eclecticalan
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As long as it idles the valve cover can be off. If you rev it up it gets messy.

Don't try this on a T-series however. :)

Mar 26, 2008 13:54:52
NH72MG
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Don't you love it when what appears serious turns out to be a quick and easy fix !!

Good to hear you fell into that category

Mar 26, 2008 14:05:05
sam66mgb
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NH72MG Wrote:

Quote: "
Don't you love it when what appears serious turns out to be a quick and easy fix !!
Good to hear you fell into that category
"


Yes I do! I haven't checked the bolt that hold the generator yet soooo I'll rejoice once it's quick and easy.. Cross your fingers....

Sam

Mar 26, 2008 15:21:56
PaulM
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I could here the YahOOO from here! Great

Mar 26, 2008 19:18:49
sam66mgb
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All fixed up an purring like a kitten.. Get this, I clean up my hands, grab a beer, let out a sigh and the wife say "Did you get it fixed?" " "Yes" I say. Explained what it was and she says " Wow you mean it's not gonna cost anything!" I said yep.. " I'm drinking it!"

Sam

Mar 26, 2008 19:59:55
ddubois
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sam66mgb Wrote:

Quote: "
All fixed up an purring like a kitten.. Get this, I clean up my hands, grab a beer, let out a sigh and the wife say "Did you get it fixed?" " "Yes" I say. Explained what it was and she says " Wow you mean it's not gonna cost anything!" I said yep.. " I'm drinking it!"
Sam
"


Sam - I hope that you didn't tighten the fan belt like a guitar string - if you did, you will be sending money in the future getting the generator overhauled. Lucas generators need to be run with a very loose fan belt or the rear bushing for the armature will wear very quickly to the point that the armature will rub on the field poles pieces. I always ran the belt on the generator equipped cars with almost 3/4 of an inch of slack on the belt. It also helps to use a belt with notches on the inside so it is quite flexable.
Cheers,

Mar 26, 2008 20:17:54
pmittler
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Great result. Not sure I would have had the guts to drive home after hearing the noise start though.

Mar 26, 2008 21:06:39
chris
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May we all get away with blushing while telling a story on ourselves this year, and only have to spend money when we want to on our cars!
Glad you got off on the cheap! :)

Mar 27, 2008 10:33:54
sam66mgb
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Thanks for all the responses...

Dave,
I remember reading to leave it nice and loose when running a generator so I'm good there. I do have a spare belt that has the v-notches in the back of it that I may change out and put on. I'm now wondering if I had it to tight and the generator caused the bolts to loosen up. Both nuts were the nyloc type so I plan on keeping an eye on it.

Peter,
I wasn't to far maybe two and a half miles so I took my chances.

Sam

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