Need a diagnosis on line

[428bigblock]

I have a 428cj in my 69 Mustang that had a full rebuild about 5-6 years ago. Engine has run flawless
till this year. I have done 2-3000k per year. I drove to the Woodward dream cruise in Detroit. About
a 5 hour drive at a fairly steady 3000rpm each way. Little higher on the way home as a group we were having a little fun. The engine has developed what sounds like a lifter tick. If the car is parked for say a week or two, when started it ticks heavily for a few minutes. Driving around town it appears to go away but get on the highway and it comes back slightly. Coast off at the off ramp and it goes away again. I do have adjustable rocker but have not had the time to pull a cover as of yet to see if one has come loss. Is it possible I have a sticking lifter?

Thanks, Steve 

[machoneman]

Sure it could be a sticky lifter or one that isn't pumping up but lots beyond the lifter could cause the sound: worn valve tips from improperly heat-treated stems, an adjuster that has backed out, broken damper or outer valve spring. You need to pop that cover and start checking things out.

It's helpful to isolate the sound with a cardboard tube held to the ear and valve cover. Then, using an old tin valve cover with the top horizontally sliced off, one can push down on the pushrod side of the rocker with a gloved hand while the engine is idling and often find the suspect lifter. That's the one that will be fairly easy to push down the p-rod side and clatter like hell...unlike the others that will show lots of resistance. Works for me!       

[Drew Pojedinec]

Sure, pull the valve covers and check everything out.
I'd wager a guess that you just have an exhaust leak somewhere.....

Disabling the fan and liberal usage of baby powder can find an exhaust leak fairly easily.

good luck!

[jayb]

Exhausts leaks, especially at the header tube where it bolts to the head, often sound just like a sticking lifter or valve tick.  They can be hard to diagnose, but Bob's suggestion of using a tube to listen for the location of the sound is a good one.  And after five years pulling the valve covers just to check everything out is a good idea too...

[428bigblock]

What will the baby powder do? I did change the exhaust gaskets a year and a half ago but this is different as it goes away but comes back after a highway run. Last time the ticking got worse and worse till I change the gasket. We changed the exhaust gaskets to the Remflex brand that came highly recommended and they appear to be holding well as I see no signs of burning. They are stock manifolds.

Steve

[My427stang]

You could have a marginal or sticky lifter.  What are you running for oil weight, does it smell like gas, brand?  What does the engine have for oil pressure?

I have had a few clickety Comp lifters over the years so it's possible. 

[fastback 427]

On your adjustable rockers are you using springs or spacers? On mine the spacers needed to be re shimmed and my valve train quieted down considerably. It is still louder after the engine is hot than cold.

[428bigblock]

Oil pressure is good at around 65psi. Oil is 15w40 Amsoil hi zinc. Does not smell like gas. I beleave it may be a Comp Cam I will have to look for the bill and cam sheet. As for springs or spacers I will have to pull the valve cover as I had the motor built and do not remember ever having one off to check.

[Joe-JDC]

Normally you do not need a gasket when you run manifolds.  The head needs to be flat, and the manifold needs to be flat and clean, and a small amount of anti-seize on surfaces will seal and be leak free if torqued correctly.  A dab of permatex hi-temp will work as a sealer if there are small imperfections in the surfaces.  The ticking may simply be the result of wear, and needing an adjustment to bring things back into specifications.  Joe-JDC

[Hotwrench]

 I had a noise that sounded like a lifter tick but ended up being a loose exhaust valve guide. Would'nt tick all the time ,you could hear it at idle speed if the engine temp was just right. It would be noticeable driving under a load or accelerating. That guide was'nt that loose that affected the valve seating or idle quality. I discovered the problem buy noticeing the valve spring had exhaust smoke on it. This was in a 390 that I had in my wrecker with low miles on a rebuild

                     Have A Good Day  ---- John

[TorinoBP88]

Heat soak can raise oil temp and lower viscosity which can make it loose some pressure on rear lifters. In addition, the block can expand making the rear cam bearings loose, further losing pressure to rear lifters.

At lease this is what used to happen to my old Torino 390 on long 3000 rpm drives.  I switched to straight 50W Valvoline racing oil.  That helped.

What is your oil pressure when really hot?

Maybe a remote oil cooler is in order?