Noise coming from engine after head gaskets

Hi I was wondering if anybody could shed some light on a problem i have with my Range Rover Classic 3.9efi auto. I will start at the begining, I bought the RR about 5 weeks ago it started to loose water and steam was coming out the exhaust so a mecanic friend of mine said it was one or both of the head gaskets so i booked a week off work to strip it down and what i found was the gasket had gone on number 1 cylinder across to the water jacket and the oil way as well as there was water in the oil as well, so i have had both heads scimmed and new valve stem oil seals and relapped the valves at the same time then re fitted the heads. Also while the heads were getting done i washed all the valley out with gunk and took the sump off and cleaned that out as wel l, gave everthing a large coating of oil before putting the rocker covers and valley gasket back on, Also found a fault with the old distributor so bought a new on, So on start up the oil light went out after about 10 seconds as expected the a funny like clattering sound started to be heard after about 3 to 4 min after start up. I have since been told that if the enging has been without oil for a while the hydraulic tappets loose there oil and can take a while to re prime has anybody come across this as i am very wary of starting the enginge again incase i do any damage, I have taken both rocker covers off and checked that there is oil on them and all the push rods are still seated in the right location:boxing:So i am a compleat loos as to what to do next, any advice would be gratfully excepted

did you change the oil filter as well?? if so did you fill it before fitting, V8's are sensetive about oil and priming but a noise starting 3 to 4 minutes AFTER starting does not sound like tappets.

Are you sure all the plugs are tight?? a blowing plug or blow on the manifold may sound clattery especially as its likely to start as the manifolds warm up and expand after 3 to 4 minutes.

Cheers Steve

Hi i didnt prime the filter but i have taken it off since and it was full of oil, will fill a new one up before i try again also will check the plugs first thing in the morning, fingers crossed and thank you

Well i have put everting back again except the drivers side roker cover and bit the bullet and started her up, the oil light went out as normal and after about 30 seconds or so i could see oil dripping off the rocker shaft so everything seamd fine untill after a short while that clattering sound started to come back , the noise seams to be coming from under the RR either the sump or the bell housing for the auto gearbox, but only after it gets warm i hope its not the big ends , would it do that after a few mins? if anybody can shed any light it would be very appreciated,

Cheers Chris

ct21 said:

Well i have put everting back again except the drivers side roker cover and bit the bullet and started her up, the oil light went out as normal and after about 30 seconds or so i could see oil dripping off the rocker shaft so everything seamd fine untill after a short while that clattering sound started to come back , the noise seams to be coming from under the RR either the sump or the bell housing for the auto gearbox, but only after it gets warm i hope its not the big ends , would it do that after a few mins? if anybody can shed any light it would be very appreciated,

Cheers Chris

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try and get your hand down the back of the engine and just make sure its not blowing from the head / block join on either head

Cheers Steve

Hi Steve I have just started her up again while cold and cant feel anything blowing from the head or exhaust but like i said after a few mins this knocking/rattle comes back and it is louder under the RR you can hardly hear it from under the bonnet, thanks Steve might have to bit the bullet and take it to a little landrover garage out in the sticks i know, i wont take it to a main dealer iam not that rich lol