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The basics are a stock L48 with a mild crane energizer cam and performer intake.
I have about 300 miles on the new cam. I started developing what sounds like a lifter tick. But it is intermittent. It doesn't tick at idle, only when I rev the engine. It will continue to tick until RPM's drop to near idle level. I have 40 psi oil pressure when hot and all the rockers seem to be adjusted with the correct lash. I ran the engine with the valve covers off and I seem to be getting good oiling and the rockers seem to be moving the same amount (no missing lobe). I also checked the valve spring and I don't see any visible failures.
"Impossible to find" could be fuel pump pushrod worn.
or bent.
With the covers off can you isolate a certain valve by putting a rag on top of rocker and holding to one side to take up slack and or muffle tick?Can you at least isolate left or right side of engine?
I'll see if it's the fuel pump. I used a screwdriver as a stethoscope and I still had trouble determining where the noise was coming from.
You can take the bolts out of the pump and let it drop down and start the motor and see if the noise goes away.If when putting it back up in place you use the bolt through the front of block to hold the rod up be careful not to go in too tight as you "will" bend rod and that "will" cause a tick.
I had two problems with my car recently with a ticking sound coming from the engine. The first was pretty straight forward a leaking manifold gasket. The second was the result of an engine rebuild by the previous owner, too smaller valves were used and the exhaust gases were being forced back through the intake valves and was causing a ticking not to mention the loss of about 70HP.