Pontiac Repair: 1996 pontiac Grand Am se 3100, lubricating properties, pontiac grand am

Question
QUESTION: just replaced the lower intake gasket and had to remove about 6 push rods and replace them with the same ones now when i start the engin it sounds like tis low on oil

ANSWER: Hey Jay:

did you old take out the ones that were the same size? The exhaust and intake push rods are different lengths. If you took out all the ones that are the same lenghth and put them all back again you should have an issue. If you mixed up intake and exhaust ones you are gonna have a BIG issue. Just for the sake of argument if they were all the same ones and they are back in place. did you tighten the rocker are right dowwn tight or did you tigthen them just down to zero lash likean old small block V8 chevy? the bolt or the nut depending on whch design engine you have are to be tightened down tight not just to a zero lash.  Is it knocking or is it ticking? If you washed down the engine with solvent after replacing the gasket and cleanin up the block and head you might have pumped up the lifters and they make a nasty noise untill they settle down. you can unplug the ignition module and crank the car over for 30 seconds let it sit for say 15 minutes reconnect the module then try starting it again that sometimes will get the lifters to settle back down. Good luck :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I took them out 1by1 and i dont know the torque spec. i probaly can get it but i just tightend them up snug. oh yea the car was sitting with the intake off for about 5 months and havent been drove in 7 months+

Answer
did the car run before you did the intake gasket? did it sound bad before? was there coolant mixed in with the oil? meaning the oil was milkey looking? if so that's never a good thing the oil looses it's lubricating properties and the water that's in the coolant actually satrts to rus the engine parts and the bearing surfaces. If that happnes the engine is junk then. Especially if it sat like that for a long time. Like I said if it's knocking that's not good if it's ticking it is just upper end like a lifter noise. If it indeed is knocking I would get an oil pressure gauge and do a pressure test on the engine and see what you have.