ok so i was messn around with my buddy and i have a 92 hatch with a ls and b16 tranny and one of the bolts in the valvetrain came off and it started ticking pretty bad i take off the valve cover and on the exhaust side one of the nuts were missing that hold the valve down and i couldnt find it newhere i used a magnet to try and reach down into all the holes and i found nothing and no where in the head i drained the oil tapped around on the oil pan and no nut. so i got another nut put it on there valve adjusted it and everything problem fixed start it up no ticking. and the next day im driving through town and i got on it a lil bit and i turn down the music and next thing ya know i hear the valve ticking again go home take the valve cover off and the same exact nut was missing but this time i found it just sitting on top of an oil jet. now i had my buddy do the valve adjustment and is it possible he just didn't tightn the nut back up tight and thats why it came off again or do i need to replace something. also i have only had the motor for about 2 weeks and is it possible there was never a nut in the valvetrain or if there wasn't would of it started ticking right away. where on earth could that nut be and what should i do in this situation. thanks for hearing me out please help!!!

 

bump come on any input is appreciated

 

I would searce really hard to see if I could find the lost nut. And for the problem of the nit falling off I would make sure that the bolt you put it on is not stripped. If it is I would just use a tap-n-die set on it and make sure i have the nut tight but make sure you do not tightin the nut to tight or you will strip it. Im not sure what the specs are on how tight it should be.

 

If you don't have the right tool to do the job, don't so it because you will stretch the threads on the tappet bolt that adjusts your lash. There is a tool made for this that has a hollow center to accept a screwdriver to hold the tappet, and a 1/4" socket drive to attach the right socket to tighten it.

A lot of people tighten them down without holding the bolt, which will ruin the threads and stretch the bolt, and when you pull it out, it is pretty obvious, the threads will looked shrunken in the area it was stretched.

I would go a buy a new tappet bolt and locking nut.