How clean should things be under the valve cover?

[Quiche2192]

I recently got my s14 with a redtop sr20det and I opened up the valve cover to replace the gasket. I also have some valve tick so I wanted to check that as well.

After opening up the valve, I noticed the valve rocker arms and shaft have so much soot on them. If I run my finger across them, I pick up a bunch of particles.

The cams look clean where they're touching the rocker arms, but at the edge of the contact point, I can see that they're shaved down and there's metal burring at the edge.

It doesn't look right to me, but this is my first time opening up a valve cover so I wanted to ask if it's normal. And if it isn't, what are your suggestions? just replace the camshafts, rocker arms, etc. Or should I just replace the whole top end?

Thanks.

[jedi03]

looks like lack of lubrication to me...should be able to clean it up real good and replace the cams rockers and any other moving parts that look worn...

[TheRealSy90]

The cam lobes look severely worn down. Most likely due to clogged oil drip rails. I'd recommend replacing the oil rails, cams, and rocker arms. Might as well do dual rocker guides while you're in it.

[gaz_moose]

new oil spray bars or just soak them in petrol and blow them out with an air line. then new cams and rocker arms.

the rest looks pretty clean. ive seen them where you cant even distinguish the cam cap bolts.

[jedi03]

ya they are not hard to clean...make the holes larger so its less likely to clog again...

[TheRealSy90]

Ehh that seems like a great way to increase blowby... Just get new rails.

[jedi03]

how would you increase blowby from increasing the diameter of the drain hole for the rail? The s14 has larger holes and is a recommended swap out for the more likely to clog s13 variations...

[TheRealSy90]

Sure, and the S14 valvecover is also extremely better at reducing blowby and keeping the oil inside it.