Valve guides

[rasouth]

Can a worn valve guide cause a clacking noise in the no. 1 intake valve area? I have a '78 and it runs pretty good except for the clacking noise coming from the intake-side valve. I have adjusted the valves clearance, timing is correct, complete tune-up, oil change with thicker oil... The car does not emit smoke as I have been told is a sign of a worn valve guide. It's just the no. 1 intake. Camshaft and tappet look good, springs seem to be okay, valve looks good (a little carbon build-up) but straight.
As a previous post had said they had something fall into the cylinder and that produced a clacking noise. I have checked and nothing was found inside.

[pastaroni34]

Double check your intake cam pulley. It could be loose and clacking away. I know it seems odd but its happened before!

[rasouth]

Pulleys are fine, aux. air pump fine, nothing seems loose, timing is good... The noise is coming from only the no. 1 intake side. Had a mechanic listen to it and said it was not coming from anywhere else; not crankshaft or oil pan area.
I would like to sell the car but I would get more for it if it was not making noise.
Short of taking the head off and having it rebuilt I am at wits end on what else it could be.

[mdrburchette]

You haven't lost a nut or washer lately, have you?

[MNspiderman]

yes a worn valve guide can make a clackity noise. when the guide is worn the seat doesn't quite align up with the valve seat anymore so it is slapping one edge of the seat before it closes all the way.

[So Cal Mark]

I've heard worn guides emit a tapping noise as the valve rocks back and forth. I would expect deposits on the spark plug though since it's an intake guide. It could be a broken valve spring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxWK4XvJU8I

[rasouth]

This car is not my daily driver so I have not put a whole lot of miles on it and cannot tell if there is build-up on the plugs. The springs looked good when I pulled the cam housing off to replace oil seals for the valves. I did not check the spring tension but I did not see any cracks or chips in the inner or outer spring. Any advice on removing and replacing the guides without the special tools listed in the book?