i have an 83 chevy 1/2 ton with a 4bolt 350 with about 10000 miles on it. how can you tell if you have a bad valve or stuck spring. and whats the proper degree for timing thanks

 

dont have one can you tell by sound or performance

 

well thats what my neighbor thinks it makes an loud ticking noise definatly not a lifter. happened after i went through a mud hole. thanks

 

heres what happened was out hunting yesterday and going through a mud hole i goosed it to get out it started making a really loud rattling noise drove it home still had great oil pressure and didnt get hot and still had power so got home took valve covers off didnt notice anything took distributer off see if there was water in there nothing pulled it out all the way looks fine today pulled oil pan out no shavings everything looked good so know im stumped please let me know what you think thanks

 

forgot to also say when i was looking last night also noticed the distributer was not tightenend down