ok guys i think i have found the ticking noise that been driving my crazy
i think it is the valve spring i have two that is lose no matter what i do one on 5 and one on 4
my question is this what size are they ?
the motor is a 1971 250 in a nova no a.c. if that helps

250 inline valve springs interchange with small block v8.

I read in another one of your threads that you are considering an aftermarket cam, carb, intake and headers.

Keep in mind that the stock valve springs are cheap, but if you're gonna be cranking this engine up anytime soon, then figure out exactly what you want to do and then do you cyl head up right to match your cam, valve springs and valves. I think (my opinion) that it makes the most sense to determine when and what you want to do before money is wasted - again - my opinion.

Be aware that if you have 2 valve springs that are as far out of spec as you describing that you most likely have 10 more that aren't far behind those 2.

ok thanks guys

What makes you think they're loose?
There isn't any "no matter what I do" - there is no adjustment for valve springs.
The only things I can think of that will make a spring loose are:
1. you lost a lock, which means that valve and piston are toast
2. the spring is broken, and the valve will fall in any moment

In either case, don't even start it again "just to see if the noise is still there", because it may destroy another piston.
Take off the valve cover, and look for something obviously wrong.

well panic, i don't what else to try at this point and these two valves i can move where as the others they are hard to move around
i have not lost a lock i think they are just weak from over the years and thought it would make sense to replace them all and it is where i have that ticking sound

Can you wiggle the valves? The guides are probably worn also. New stock SBC springs would be good to put on. It can be done without pulling the head.
You need to get the tool that bolts onto the rocker stud to compress the springs. Use a fitting into the sparkplug hole and use compressed air to blow into cylinder to hold the valves up while you change the springs. Doing it with this method will let you do one cylinder at a time. Tom

what sbc 350 or just any sbc
thanks tom any everybody for input
yeah i can wiggle it side to side n front to back but just a few will do this

350 SBC stock springs are fine. New springs will keep them located better, but sounds as though the guides could be worn loose. Tom

Yup, guides are gone.

How much oil does ths use and how much and when does it smoke?

Worn valve guides may not cause smoking if the seals are still working. If the seals are shot, then on startup the most. Bad rings will smoke all the time. Tom

True, if the sales are working the oil pass-through may not be bad.
Typically, intake guides cause smoke on high vacuum (shutting the throttle at speed), rings smoke worst on power (low vacuum).

Another gentlemen from Texas , brought up to me in a phone call, that the valve seats could be worn. This engine is one built prior to hardened seats. The seats would then wear and allow the valve to travel higher into the head. Hence the spring would also get looser.

Are all the valves at the same height, or are the noisy ones slightly taller?

If the guides pooched that badly, you're probably burning a fair amount of oil, too. Sounds to me like it's time for a complete valve job with new guides, or at the VERY least, knurling and reaming the old ones and new valve guide seals and new valve springs. That head's tired.

Make sure the studs aren't backing out.Press ins have a habit of doing that.

Typically once the guides are worn the seats aren't far behind due to the valve no longer hitting the seat square.

Tom
Are you referencing the o-ring style seal or positive style seal?

Either seal. When you shut the engine down, oil will settle and run down the valve guides and saturate the valve heads. When you restart it the oil saturated valves release the oil out the tailpipe. Tom

ok guys i got some one to listen to my engine and i have to have the head re worked so i just wanted to say thanks for all of you guys on here this is the best site and best people i have ever talked so thanks you
ps i posted another topic so any help there would wonderful
go inliners!!