Pontiac Repair: Question for 3.3 93 grand prix, rear cylinder head, water pump replacement

Question
Hello there,
I have a friend who has a 93 grand prix, or grand am with a 3.3 v6 engine. This is what I know about it, there was a head gasket and water pump replacement at the same time. Not too long after that, the car was brought back to the same person, unknown if backyard worker or shop, to have a hose fixed or replaced. After that second time, a rather loud clanking started. Pretty much loud at idle, slightly goes away when speeding up, of course it goes faster too. Not much change in volume or speed when engine warms up. When I heard it, it sounded like it could be a push rod, however the owner said that she didn't notice power loss. Nor did it seem like it had low power when I was in it. No hesitation that I can tell.
My question would be, if it's not a push rod what could it be? If it is the push rod, what kind of labor is envolded, would it basically be the same as a head gasket just not as far? Since the head gasket was replaced, and it is a push rod, wouldn't the sound/problem show up right away?

Thanks for your free time in answering my question,

Robert

Answer
Hi Robert:
Well first off it's a 3.1 liter V6 and if it were a push rod noise it would be going at 1/2 the speed of the engine like a tapping noise. It could be anything valve train related the fact that if the engine is revved up it seesm to go away I would think possibly a lifter concern that with the higher oild pressure it is helping the lifter do it's job. It could be a loose nut on a rocker arm the push rod goes between the lifter and the rocker arm. It's not that big of a job to take the valve covers off that engine to take a peek and see what's going on but Murphy's law it's going to be the rear cylinder head and you can't see in ther that well.If it were a loose rocker arm if it wasn't tightened up fully then as the car runs the nut could back off the stud. It could be deeper in the engine as well if the intake was done an a lot of dirty go into the engine it could have taken a while for that to go through the engine and cause some damage. Just a few thoughts.