Valve problem, This time I think I'm screwed Options

[fitzm1]

Just finished all the work I had planned for this spring. Bump steer kit, CB fuel pump and cleaned (rebuilt ) the carb that has been giving me problems. Seemed to be running great. As I am going up a hill near home I hear a pop and the engine sounds like a sewing machine. First I thought I had lost a gear in the tranny but that seems fine. I checked the compression and all cylinders are 120. Car starts fine but sounds like one or more of the valves are real loud. Any explanation besides the one I fear (trashed motor).
Joe I think I broke your motor.
Mike

[Cupomeat]

Ok, so if all the cylinders have even compression then you can generally rule out alot of bad things;
1. You did not eat a valve
2. You did not put a hole in the piston

Now, have you pulled the valve covers and watched the rocker arms go as you rotate the motor. If you fear it to be valve train, do this first and see what happens.

Perhaps a pop is the rocker arm set coming loose, or a push rod properly seating in the rocker?

You'll have to dive a little for this one, but perhaps not too deep before you know.

Pull them valve covers and see what you find.

BTW, was the "pop" a backfire style, or a mechanical pop?

sir, for the record, would you describe the "pop"... LOL

[fitzm1]

Pulling the valve covers and checking the valves is on for tomorrow. It sounds like a tapping. I have a stethoscope and have listened to the valves with it before. Now it sounds much louder than before and louder near no.3 cylinder. The pop was a mechanical type noise and the car lost power like I lost a cylinder, but it doesn't idle rough like its firing on three, it just makes a lot of noise.

Ok, so if all the cylinders have even compression then you can generally rule out alot of bad things;
1. You did not eat a valve
2. You did not put a hole in the piston

Now, have you pulled the valve covers and watched the rocker arms go as you rotate the motor. If you fear it to be valve train, do this first and see what happens.

Perhaps a pop is the rocker arm set coming loose, or a push rod properly seating in the rocker?

You'll have to dive a little for this one, but perhaps not too deep before you know.

Pull them valve covers and see what you find.

BTW, was the "pop" a backfire style, or a mechanical pop?

sir, for the record, would you describe the "pop"... LOL