Heroez Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 I had the same problem. I fixed it by changing the oil with Rotella T. next oil change I'm going to use castrol syntec 0-w30 with ZDDP additive. The 0-w30 syntec is made in germany and it has more cleaning additives than the other weights.Thank you for adding your experience. I may try the Rotella T after running the ATF through it and I go to change the oil. Im just now getting home from work, and the sun is setting. I will be able to try the ATF and check under the valve cover this weekend, so keep an eye on me please. I would like to add a resolution to this thread one way or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 Update- I drained a quart of the 15w 50 and added the ATF. I drove maybe 15 miles, then parked it for the night. Im hoping Tomorrow or Monday the clacking lifter arms at start up goes away. I will let you know what the result is. Castrol syntech is now called Castrol edge. I didnt see Rotella at 2 different stores. Was thinking of trying a 10w or 5w 30 at oil change. Not sure yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejracer Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 I wanted to add that ATF does not have as much detergents as modern motor oils. This was true back in the 60's and 70's, but newer oils have improved much to prevent sledging. There is a website called bob is the oil guy, which helps filter through what's what in the oil world. I used Rotella T because it has ZDDP (zinc). I don't know what kind of a cleaning properties it has. The 0w30 Castrol that is made in Germany has one of the best cleaning packages in it. But it's only the 0w30 that is made in Germany. The castrol also does not have ZDDP which will wipe out camshafts. All other weights of the same brand are not the same oil. BMW and Volkswagen synthetic oils have very good oil cleaning packages in them, but they do not have ZDDP, thus I add it to the mix. To me it's the best of both worlds. if your into oil system cleaners there is AUTO RX and a product called kreen, it's made by the same people that make kroil. Google them if the ATF or oil changes don't do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 In a different z I use valvoline vr1 which has a high zinc content. Its interesting to know that another brand has it. Like you said its important on antique motors for cam lubrication. I saw the zddp additive at the store too. I will do more research because I would like to know more. I will look into the products you mention. Im about to hop in the shower and after that I will see what the start up is like. Ive found a head with hydraulic lifters for sale. I was going to buy it for parts just in case I need something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 Well, no clacking noise on start up today. I took a look at my trip meter. I logged 16.8 miles with ATF in the oil yesterday. Over the next few days I will report what each start up is like. Its too early to tell if the issue is resolved. Mondays commute will be longer harder driving. Wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 No noise this morning. The car feels like its running smoother too. Its looking good so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 It made the slapping sound just now when I started the car after work! Sigh. Looks like I have to take a look at the HLAs. Im going to look for slack. May be able to do that this weekend. Oh well. At least it didnt do it for a couple days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejracer Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 When I changed oil it took a few months for it to go away, but the trend was less and less frequent. Concerning the Zinc, The VR1 has more than Rotella T, but less of the clleaners. AutoRX is not compatible with synthetic oils, so it may not be compatible with a Turbo application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 (edited) Tapping at morning and after work. I removed the aux fan for clearance. Sorting through search results. Watched a partial mechanical conversion on youtube. Manual specifies a special tool on valve adjustment. I think in one link someone used a 17mm crowsfoot and an extension on a torque wrench. Edited February 26, 2013 by Heroez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejracer Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 To adjust valves (non-Hydraulic) you only need standard wrenches. If I recall the sizes needed are 17 and 14mm. I'm not sure if this applies to removing the hydraulic units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 After 1200 miles I changed the oil Sunday, this time with Mobile1 10w 30. No clacking noise at start up this morning. I will update again soon. Side note- I have my tool man bringing me some feeler gauges. I should learn to adjust mechanical valves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 You can't adjust the valves on a stock 83 turbo head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) You can't adjust the valves on a stock 83 turbo head.Thanks for keeping an eye on me. Correct. I have another NA z car, so. The fix may be to convert to mechanical lifters on the 83 p90a. I'm trying to learn about the motor, and valve adjustment is worthwhile to learn. Matco rep says he will have the master feeler gauge set on Monday. With tools I can learn. Not really sure which way to go, convert, replace the HLAs...update will follow. Edited March 12, 2013 by Heroez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) Since the oil change to 10w 30 I hadn't heard the valve train slapping noise. Its been a couple days now. But... There is a light ticking during warm up period that eventually gets quieter and hard to notice. So maybe the switch to 10w 30 from 15w 50 had an effect on the lifter slap the most? The turbocharger has gotten quiet, you can still hear it a little. The dash gauge says its boosting, I see positive manifold pressure. Odd. At 200k, maybe the engine is just worn out. Its hard to admit that. Mostly because the turbo car is still new to me. I couldn't afford to buy one, so I had to make one if I wanted to know. Found one that was sick, and affordable. Spent a year testing, poking, swapping, reading about. I know what the insides of weird parts look like! I even have pictures of the guts inside the FPM,VCM,and such. Found unrelated minor stuff I wasnt looking for too. I threw down my ECCS enemy and smote his ruins upon the tarmac. Victory! Now I know what turbo is like. So these new noises, concepts, have me questioning. I dont see the obvious things as clearly as you guys do. These noises send up an alert on me but its just instinctual. If you are in touch with your car, new noises really get you thinking. Edited March 12, 2013 by Heroez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Do you have a video or sound clip of the noise? The L series Datsun naturally has a louder than normal valvetrain noise. The hydraulic lifters are only slightly better. Just out of curiosity, who is your Matco rep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Do you have a video or sound clip of the noise? The L series Datsun naturally has a louder than normal valvetrain noise. The hydraulic lifters are only slightly better. Just out of curiosity, who is your Matco rep?I will try to get a recording. This car used to be quiet, now during warm up its ticking medium soft. Danny Gossett used to be my Matco guy, great guy. Changed job location and the Matco rep is Kevin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 My injectors are louder than my valves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 That is how mine used to be Calvin. The slapping sound is back at start up this morning. I guess it only goes away right after oil change. I dont get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 The slapping sound occurs less. Maybe less than half the time when starting the car. Which is an improvement. Next oil change I will go back to 15w 50, with another 1/4 quart of ATF. I would like to find some hyd lifter arms, spend some time cleaning them and letting them soak. Then replace mine. May place a WTB ad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejracer Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 I changed my oil last monday to the 0w-30 castrol syntec and added zddp. It now makes a tapping noise when fully hot and I let it idle for over a minute. as soon as I rev up to 1500 rpm it goes away. I think it's an oil pressure issue. I think I'm going to swap out my pump for the larger turbo automatic oil pump and increase the orifice size to the cylinder head. To me it seems that the oil pressure is just slightly low at low RPM. To my understanding if a hydraulic lifter/pivot pumps up with RPM/pressure, it's working fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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