1980 450 slc valve noise
 

Im looking at a 450slc 1980 car is in great shape, but when started the engine makes a loud ticking or metel sound under the left bank valve cover. the owner says it is a exhust leak, but I have worked on more then enough engines to think it may be more. I just dont have any experiance with this engine, it starts fine and has great oil pressure, seems to idle a bit rough. it does not smoke, and the oil level is full. The odometer is showing 104000 miles. any ideas on how to proceed.

It very well could be an exhaust leak, very common on these engines. But so is valve train wear. The only way to tell is to pull off the valve cover, visually Inspect the cam and rockers and check the clearances.

thanks I am picking it up on Wed. will pull valve cover and check.

Neal

Common for holes in oil tube to clog with sludge/varnish over time which first evidences itself by starving cylinder #4 camshaft lobes for oil. Even if this is not the noise/problem when you have the chance I would remove the valve covers and clean the oil tubes and replace the plastic pieces that hold the tubes to the camshaft bearings. Very brittle after all these years and heat cycles. May as well check the chain wear and chain guides while you are in there. Mark

Thanks, I removed valve cove found chain slapping, guids look good, none broke, ordered new tensioner, will check chain after. On another note any ideas on burl wood trim, my ac surround was cracked on all four corners had to sand through the burl wood to repair, need to refinish or replace with new. Great forum thanks for the help.
Neal zoromski