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Dennis
Lifter ticking
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 4
From: Surprise AZ
Lifter ticking
On a 66 427-390 the first lifter on the driver's side is ticking. The engine was rebuilt about 8 yrs ago, and only has 500 miles on it. I was told to tighten it down 1/4 turn cold not running, and see if that does the job. Does that sound right? Thanks Joe 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
Sounds like when the oil pressure drops down at idle it ticks a little. What weight oil are you using? If you are sure about which one is ticking, the quarter turn adjustment really can't hurt anything. Try it and if after some running it loosens up again, then you can go looking a bit deeper to see if the stud is trying to pull out of the head, the lifter is bad etc. Hydraulics are pretty forgiving anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 1,939
From: Folsom CA
If the lifter is slightly out of adjustment it can give you the exact ticking you describe and a extra 1/4 turn can sometimes fix it. You won't hurt it any. If this fixes it for 50 miles or so and then it comes back you are looking at more serious issues like a lobe failure.
Lets hope it is just a simple lifter adjustment.
Lets hope it is just a simple lifter adjustment.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,721
Likes: 3,706
From: Central Arkansas
Sometimes an exhaust manifold leak sounds a lot like a ticking lifter. However, it's usually more pronounced on a cold engine and then dissapears or lessens as the engine warms up. Just to be safe I would snug up the maniflod bolts a little.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
With only 500 miles in 8 years you just might have a 'gummed up' lifter. "Back in the day" we used to run the engine at idle for a few minutes on a mixture of kerosene and oil to clean them out and then flush out the mixture and put in fresh oil. Don't know if that was wise or not but, back then, it sure fixed the noise in a LOT of cases... I don't use SeaFoam but have been told it works too.
I'd try the 1/4 turn before anything more drastic though.
I'd try the 1/4 turn before anything more drastic though.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Nov 7, 2011 at 07:30 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Tighten the lifter with the engine running, hot or cold. If that lifter was ever quiet it shouldn't take much. When the lifter gets quiet, make sure the engine isn't missing, turn it down a little more and check for the engine missing. If the lifter stays quiet and your engine is still idling smooth, you should be okay.
If the noise returns after some extended period of driving, you probably have a rocker arm nut backing off. They should be pretty tight to turn with a 3/8" short handle ratchet.
If the noise returns shortly, you have something wearing in the valve train.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Tighten the lifter with the engine running, hot or cold. If that lifter was ever quiet it shouldn't take much. When the lifter gets quiet, make sure the engine isn't missing, turn it down a little more and check for the engine missing. If the lifter stays quiet and your engine is still idling smooth, you should be okay.
If the noise returns after some extended period of driving, you probably have a rocker arm nut backing off. They should be pretty tight to turn with a 3/8" short handle ratchet.
If the noise returns shortly, you have something wearing in the valve train.
If the noise comes and goes, you likely have a stuck lifter or flakey oil pressure.
