Topic: Tick, tick, tick!

[Jeffy]

Gah!  If it isn't one thing it's another!  I'm not sure if it's from running a bit low on oil and/or overheating.  Both issues are fixed though.  There is a tick coming from #1 that doesn't seem to go away.  I think it might be a stick lifter.  Actually, I'm hoping it a stuck lifter.  I don't really want to tear into it.  I'm running 5w40 which is a bit lighter then what I should be running.  At least when it's from a cold start.

I've seen the oil pressure drop to 35psi on the stock gauge but normally it sits at 40psi when idling and 60 when driving.  40-60 is the normal range.  The 35psi has me a little worried although I only noticed this happening once so far.  Now I'm anal about it and watching the gauges all the time.  I just changed the oil but there could be carbon floating around in there, maybe.

I reved the engine to 2000RPM and you can clearly hear it ticking away.  Since the rockers aren't adjustable, it really narrows down the trouble spot and the solutions.

Problem is, I'm not sure how long it's been making noise since my alternator bearing was drowning out all noise.

I'm thinking, I'll take the valve cover off and see if I can localize the noise.  Then give the rocker a push and a smack if needed.

[sharpxmen]

replace the lifters and pushrods, 2 to 3 of hours of work and they're cheap - if it's bad will come and go regardless of oil type and so on. Unless it's a bad rocker (worn out of shape) but that would be hard to tell unless you take them off.

35psi at idle is great, I would not worry about it, i think 25 is the idle spec according to the fsm if i remember correctly.

[Jeffy]

replace the lifters and pushrods, 2 to 3 of hours of work and they're cheap - if it's bad will come and go regardless of oil type and so on. Unless it's a bad rocker (worn out of shape) but that would be hard to tell unless you take them off.

35psi at idle is great, I would not worry about it, i think 25 is the idle spec according to the fsm if i remember correctly.

Still not looking forward to taking it apart.  Although it is straight forward and no need to adjust them.  I'm going to see if it's just a stuck lifter at first then go from there.  The noise isn't that loud.  You can barely hear it from inside once the lifters settle.  I wouldn't call it bad, just annoying at this point.

35psi isn't really alarming but I'm used to seeing it at 40psi.

[Torch_Ind]

why are you running 5w40 in a solid lifter/cam set up engine? is it synthetic as well?

[Jeffy]

Still not 100% if there is a problem.  The engine seems to idle fine an no noise.  Could have been a stuck lifter.  I'll keep an eye on it.

why are you running 5w40 in a solid lifter/cam set up engine? is it synthetic as well?

They aren't solid lifters.  Probably should have used 10w40 but they didn't have it at the time.  Been running synthetic since the 90's.

[Torch_Ind]

Still not 100% if there is a problem.  The engine seems to idle fine an no noise.  Could have been a stuck lifter.  I'll keep an eye on it.
They aren't solid lifters.  Probably should have used 10w40 but they didn't have it at the time.  Been running synthetic since the 90's.

solid where they touch the cam I understand there not 100% solid lifter. but usually the thin oils are for roller cams & lifter ..

[SDWE61988]

Is it possibly the timing chain?  Mine did that before I changed it a number of years ago.  If you are hearing it at the front of the engine, it might worth looking at.

[Jeffy]

Well, if anything I may also have an exhaust leak.  Like I said the ticking isn't that loud though.  Right now I'm just keeping an eye on things.

[Torch_Ind]

Well, if anything I may also have an exhaust leak.  Like I said the ticking isn't that loud though.  Right now I'm just keeping an eye on things.

pull the plugs and put a few drops of oil in there and put them back in and fire it up that will give ya exhaust leak location.

[Jeffy]

pull the plugs and put a few drops of oil in there and put them back in and fire it up that will give ya exhaust leak location.

I think it's at the crossover pipe.  Could be at the cat as I think I'm still using a really old gasket which was falling apart.

[Torch_Ind]

I think it's at the crossover pipe.  Could be at the cat as I think I'm still using a really old gasket which was falling apart.

this started as a engine tick and has gone to a exhaust leak under your passenger side floor by the tans??? 

you better do some looking then cause if it's that far off we can't really help ya look for the source of the prob other then speculate

[Jeffy]

this started as a engine tick and has gone to a exhaust leak under your passenger side floor by the tans???  

you better do some looking then cause if it's that far off we can't really help ya look for the source of the prob other then speculate

Multiple problems.  The tick was probably a stick lifter which fixed itself.

[Torch_Ind]

Multiple problems.  The tick was probably a stick lifter which fixed itself.

  you sure