I finally got to work on this car. took the intake manifold off and checked to make sure the bolts were tight on the rockers--at least on the front side. I didn't pull the back side yet cause have to take alternator off. ran out of time. could still see them though. the rods looked straight, no scratches or burs or anything. however, some of them had some wiggle in them. maybe half, actually. i'm thinking that isn't the way it should be. I can see how this would cause noise but would this explain loss of power? is there a way to verify which rods go in the right spots? some crappy shop changed her intake gaskets a little while before the problem started so i'm wondering if they put them in the wrong order as a possible explanation. sorry there are no paragraphs. for some reason on my laptop it won't let me make paragraphs.