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Thanks for the info everyone. To make a long story short, the engine got revved up to 10,000 rpm for several seconds and immediately therafter had a tapping noise. When I pulled the valve cover I found 1 rocker had about 1/8" play and the top of the valve flush with the retainer. The rocker looks good. Is there a split ring washer which holds the valve in place?



is this a stock 440 ? if so it went into valve float several thousand RPM below that with it's hydralic cam ...

there is a pair of half circle locks that set down inside retainer , for the valve to have moved down the locks are damaged or the retainer , or both .

you can buy an inexpensive compressor at a local sears store , use something to hold the valve from dropping in the cylinder ...