Hi all, On my way home from a friends I started to here a clacking sound coming from the top end of my 4.2 six 1985 xj. The first thing I thought was the tappet guides. I order a stake down kit. Their cheap enough. Am I right in this assumption? It’s quiet when it’s cold but after it’s run for a while the noise starts. Should I be looking for anything else when I take the valve cover off? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

did you check to see if you already have the stake kit installed? It's easy, just remove the oil filler cap and look inside with a flashlight. By now most of these cars have it installed.

 

I looked and felt around found nothing

 

you are looking for the bracket and screws.

 

Back in the 1980s I used the ones that had the 1/4"-20 bolts that needed the holes tapped.
I did install some versions that used the coarse thread sheet metal type screws.
I prefer the tapped bolts.

bob

 

that is how my car was done in 1990, maybe that is why it cost so much.

 

Can’t find any evidence of a stake down kit in mine. Going to pop the cam cover. Might as well check the clearances also
Do you think there is anything else I should look at that might cause that clacking sound?

 

the tappet noise is more of a "click" rather than a "clack". But who knows, if you don't have the tappet holdowns, now is the time.

other noise makers are the timing chain tensioner and the flexplate bolts.

you'll have to do the tappet holdowns to see if the noise stops but the 4.2 liter XK engine will always have a clicking noise in the cylinder head.

 

The upper chain 'eccentric' will compensate for the chain stretch. The sound at idle for a loose upper chain is more of a 'whirling' chatter sound.

bob

 

Thanks guys for the info. Got my work cut out for me this weekend. Front calipers, stake down kit, and now my dimmer switch is acting up. Never a dull moment.

 

I can’t feel any signs of a stake down kit inside my oil cap. I think my engine makes the normal clicking noise but not having heard another one, I can’t be certain.

 

The damage being done by the camshaft hitting the out of position seating.
My first attempt at uploading a photo so let's see how it goes...