OK, I pulled the intake. I have a question about the fuel module (spider) bracket. When I pulled the plenum, I noticed the bracket seemed loose. The hold down bolt doesn't tighten all the way on the bracket. In other words the bracket has play and without the plenum holding the top part of the module, it is loose enough to wiggle back and forth. Is this normal? The bolt is tightened as far as it will go. I also noticed small notches in the fuel line to #3 & #5 injectors from where they were touching the inside lip of the plenum. Thanks in advance.

 

This is normal. The spider is held by the upper plenum seal.

The lines should not touch each other. Sooner or later, that could result in a leak.

 

The lines are to stiff to reposition, so I may just split a small piece of rubber hose to slip over the area that shows wear. Also, I have checked for slack in the valve train, and there is no movement in any rocker arms. I even tried pushing up and down on the push rods from inside the valley and everything is dead tight. With no possibility of an exhaust leak under the intake, and no play in the valve train, I'm stumped. Any thoughts on what could be making my tapping/clacking noise after warmup?

 

Did you rotate the crankshaft so each valve lifter was not on the lobe of the camshaft when you checked it?

 

No. #3 it at TDC. I currently have the intake and distributor out. My lineup mark for the dist. is on the intake. I don't think this is a good time to move the engine, but correct me if I'm wrong. I didn't think it mattered on this engine with hydraulics. My old BMW had solid lifters and I had to do that to check the gap every 3k miles.

 

If a valve lifter is partially or totally collapsed, and it's on the cam lobe, the amount of lift on the lobe could easily take up the amount the lifter is collapsed. The lifter can't be on a lobe to check it, just like your BMW.

As for finding TDC of compression stroke on #1 cylinder for distributor installation: if the rocker arm cover on the driver side is off, it's simple to find it. When it comes time for that, let me know.

 

Once again, it makes no noise upon startup. (starts and runs great) It doesn't start ticking till the temp is around 195, when the thermostat opens. A question comes to mind. Since the engine is cold, a lifter that is bleeding down when hot won't show, or am I wrong?

 

You are correct. Here's a possibility to consider: Keep in mind when the engine is cold, the oil is thicker and the oil pump naturally builds more pressure. The oil is directed first through the crankshaft and camshaft which lubricates the bearings. The fact that the oil is thicker, and doesn't flow as easily past the bearings, also allows more pressure to be directed to the lifters and pushrods as well. As the oil heats up and thins out, oil pressure drops. This drop in pressure could cause a weak lifter, or one with a broken spring inside it, to partially collapse and create noise.



As long as you have the rocker arm covers and intake off, why not pull the lifters out for #2 cylinder and check them? You can disassemble them and check the springs, but make sure you keep the parts separate for each lifter.