85 v6
Car sounds like a tractor thru the exhaust ends. It's not a leaking manifold gasket.
Runs poorly, lacks power, feels like it's shuddering under load in high gear.
Top end sounds like a bag of bolts rattling around in there, seems to have gotten worse lately.

Can I just adjust any play in the pushrods with the rocker adjusters or does it sound like there may be worse problems (lifters maybe). If lifters would I be better pulling the motor to fix or can you do in the car?

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

you can do lifters "in car" - but - there is a chance that the cam failed as well. and that cannot be done in-car

start with remove the plenums, then the valve covers, and look for loose rockers.
if you find one - now its time to figure out why it is loose.
turn the crank, and note the high & low point of the pushrod of the loose rocker
and the pushrods of the rockers next to it.
there should be wear marks/shiney spot of where the pushrod rubs the guide. this should be a pretty good indicator.
if the loose one does NOT make full movement over that shiney spot - that cam lobe has failed/worn down
if it does - just go and re-lash that rocker - put it back together - and hope its better now

another thing to look for is just a bad/broken spark plug. maybe a bad post on the dist cap. bad ignition wire, arcing to the block.

Check the timing first.
Plugs, cap, rotor and wires next.
Then check the lash next. There are several threads listing the procedure on valve lash setting. Use the search feature and find one that starts at the timing marks at #1 TDC on the crankshaft pulley.

Fuel pressure OK?

[This message has been edited by Indiana_resto_guy (edited 06-08-2010).]

I just changed the plugs, the other 'easy' items are on my list before I start tearing things apart but the top end is still going to sound rattley regardless so I guess I shall be 'going in' at some point regardless!

Thanks for the input

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com