rocker question

[skriFF]

Before I start, I searched and couldnt really find what I was looking for.

I recently noticed a knocking sound coming from the motor, and I had a couple people listen to it and they all say its the rocker. Now my question is how hard/time consuming is it to do myself and how much will it cost?

Also, Im considering doing a cam swap. Im planning on just doing a swap that will add a decent amount of power, and I have no plans for needing a nos or turbo cam. How much will it cost me for everything and what kind of power gains could I see? This will all be after I get my exhaust and intake done.

[pgriffith]

Well rocker arms really dont go bad. If its a sound coming from the rocker then it could be a broken spring or a bent pushrod. Or possibly the rocker is just that badly out of adjustment. I am assuming you are talking about the 3.4 engine right?

[skriFF]

Yeah, its a 1993 3.4l. What I figured had happened was whatever was holding the rocker in place got lose and so now the rocker is kinda moving freely while somewhat doing its job. That would cause the knocking sound becuase the rocker is hitting things that its not supposed to be hitting(not exactly sure what though)

I dont know a lot about cars, but from my limited knowledge it makes sense to me. This would cause the knocking, as well as bad performance becuase if the rocker isnt completley doing its job, it means the valves wouldnt be able to completley open/close meaning not complete intake/combustion/exhuast storke becuase not all of the air is being either brought in or removed from the cylinder.

Maybe I am a complete idiot here, but if you guys could help me out and set me straight on what is going on, that would help a lot. Thanks

[pgriffith]

Pull your valve covers and loosen all your rockers on that side to where they start to chatter. Start the car and one by one tighten the rocker until the chatter goes away. After the chatter goes away go about 1/2 a turn past that. Dont go too far or it will misfire. Do this to all the rockers and see if it goes away.

[Tru2Chevy]

If it's pretty nasty sounding, it could be a cracked rocker, but that doesn't happen too often. I would yank the valve covers and check everythign out.

- Justin