Introducing, the Bronze Battle Cruiser, the 1977 Delta 88

If it is an Olds 350 then you cannot adjust the valves. The rockers and bridge retainers could however be worn.

 

My '73 Cutlass Supreme, with the Olds 350 had lifter problems.
That was pretty common back in the day with that otherwise great engine.
Especially in cars owned by people who weren't too concerned with changing the oil as often as they should.
You may be able to flush it out with Seafoam or kerosene, if you're lucky.
If not, then replacing the lifters doesn't cost a fortune, and you can do it in a weekend, no sweat.

 

Nah, like I said, GM goodwrench crate swapped in back in '93, 260 horse variant. Probably like Pinebox said, however, they weren't concerned with the oil. I'm going to step up to 10w40 instead of the 10w30 it recommends. If that doesn't do it, I'll mess with the valves and rockers.

It originally had the VIN L 4bbl Chevy 350, never had a Rocket V8. Vin G was a Chevy 350 2bbl, and VIN R was the "R"ocket 350 4bbl. My uncle mentioned that they had intake gasket and camshaft issues with the Chevy motors of that year, probably why the engine dropped out at 80k miles back in '93, dunno, apart from some paperwork the history of the car is quite vague.

 

If its a '93 Olds, it probably isn't the lifters. They were improved by then.
Since we can't see/hear/feel it, it's hard to tell.
It probably isn't the rockers, either, unless there are a LOT of miles on the 'new' engine..
The valve clearance is self adjusting after the initial assembly with hydraulic lifters.

After a couple of oil/filter changes things may quiet down. I'd buy some cheap 10w30 oil and a filter and change it after a thousand miles or so before resorting to surgery.

 

And add some marvel mystery oil. You may be surprised what it can do. It's a mystery but it's worked for me to quiet hydraulic lifters. Especially in an old Harley. Some people add automatic tranny fluid.

 

But I've heard that it tastes terrible.

 

Have you been getting into Tedy's wife's lunch room fridge? :confused:
Here have a Gummi Bear or twelve. They're sugar free so won't make you fat.:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

No, as I said, GM goodwrench engine swapped in back in '93, pretty much a Chevy engine, this modern version is very close to what is in my car:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/10067353/10002/-1?parentProductId=

I've had one person tell me the noise was an exhaust leak, though I'm not quite sure that is true, and another tell me it is lifter noise, if I had a better camera I could probably record it.

 

Small update

Got the shocks done earlier today, before the weather went from cold and dreary, to "When is winter going to end?".

Also found another rear view mirror for my car in the junkyard, replaced my parking brake release with a cable type release from a 77-79 LeSabre, and I'm going to check and see if the bench seats from a 1985-ish Caprice will fit my '77 Delta 88. They're still really nice even though the Caprice has sat since 1998-99.

Only things left to do are

Oil change
Front Brakes
Wider wheels, 15x8's, and some better tires, probably 235/70R15 Mastercraft Avengers
Dual exhaust
Carburetor rebuild before next winter, this winter is almost over and it's fine when it's warm out.

Side note, there is a 1976-ish tan cutlass wagon up there at the junkyard I frequent I hope one of y'all in this area will buy, it's too nice to leave sitting, but I don't think it runs. I know it's a V8, loaded with options too. Power windows, locks, heated rear window, power seats too I think. I'd love to get it but I have no money for a project. I may buy it and squirrel it away if no one else is interested. It was sitting across town for sale for 2k for quite a while, then disappeared, then somehow it wound up there, not sure how, like I said, I think someone blew the motor or trans.