VH opinion needed please

[Dammitboy]

Hey guys, I have a chance to buy a 94' VH with 12X,XXX on it relatively cheaply, but according to the owner there is an issue.

It starts & runs smmothly, but there is a tapping sound that seems to be rev dependent coming from the passenger valve cover. Owner states he can "place his hand on top of the valvecover & feel a decent tapping."

I realize I'ts difficult to diagnose this over the internet, but what do you think? Bad roller arm maybe? Should I get it?

Thanks!

[Mettler]

If the oil looks a little dirty, or if there's any evidence of browning inside the engine (i.e. take the oil cap off and look), then it's possibly a bit of tacky/sticky s*** jamming up a lifter.

Alternatively, a lifter or two need bleeding, or replacing.

That's the first thing I'd be looking at.

[Dammitboy]

I hope that's all it is, that would be great. Thanks for your reply!

[hannibal]

I wouldnt pay $500 for it, but if the price is right, get it!

[Dammitboy]

He's asking for $150, and for that I really can't complain. But if it is indeed a sticky lifter, I'm sure the engine was'nt maintained. Anything else I should look out for?

[Dammitboy]

Well, I looked at it today, & man is it loud! I'm thinking more like rod knock loud. It starts nice & idles smooth, just loud knocking. Would you guys still mess with it for $150?

It has 152,XXX on it.

[darinz]

Nah. When I did a big end it was a very faint tapping and only at the right revs. When when pulled the motor down the 2 halfs of the shell had spun so they were on one side. The tapping was the piston hitting the head! These motors are very very quite normally!

[holeset]

i fully agree,once these motors go knock there is no going back,they completley wreck the bearings and crank even if its a slight knock

[Q45tech]

I am amazed at how quiet my 20 year old 326,000 mile engine is, Internally nothing but new guides, tensioners, and chains. Of course 80+ oil changes, 4 per year minimum. Annual oem air filter. I use BG Quick Clean annually to devarnish the HLA.

Keeping plenum/TB/PCV clean of PCV/EGR slime annually keeps IAC as brand new.

I've had a 7300 rpm redline since 1993 ecu reprogram and the TCU to match so transmission shifts around 6800 rpm.I haven't babied it rpmwise.

Give or take a tenth it still accelerates as it did after breakin at 100k [1996].

[Dammitboy]

I'll pass it then. The search continues!

[Dammitboy]

Nah. When I did a big end it was a very faint tapping and only at the right revs. When when pulled the motor down the 2 halfs of the shell had spun so they were on one side. The tapping was the piston hitting the head! These motors are very very quite normally!

Darinz, just took my motor apart & found the same issue with the piston hitting the head. What can I expect damage wise to the crank & rod?

Were you able to rebuild it successfully?