I have this ticking noise in the top end of the motor I cant figure out what it is, its driving me crazy. its the main reason I rebuilt the motor this winter while I was doing the MII install. it sounds like one lifter is ticking. here is what I done so far. new crank, rod and main bearings new rings new cam bearings new timing chain new oil pump new crane anti pump up lifters new crane push rods removed comp cam roller tip rocker arms and replaced with stock style rocker arms. adjusted the pre load from 1/2 turn to 2 1/2 turns no difference in tick adjusted guide plates beat my head on concrete floor till passing out ...still ticking it has 50 psi oil pressure at idle 60 psi driving have plenty of oil to the rocker arms Any ideas?
Exhaust leak at the manifold? Sometimes you can take a peice of vacuum line and hold one end to you ear and use the other end to try and find the noise. When you get close, it should get louder.
that could be a very good place to start it doesnt cost anything to check the exhaust gaskets. you could even remove the manifolds and double check the gasket is in good shape with all of that work to your front end I hope you have headers
Is the tick there with the valve cover off? I've seen a rocker tapping on a too close spot in the cover. Makes you crazy chasing down this stuff ................
First thing I'd is try to locate the noise to a specific area... No use to look at dist if it's in rear of engine...
I had a tick noise in a 302 that wound up being the fuel pump. I verified it after I was towed off the Dumbarton bridge in Newark Ca, during rush hour traffic! RLB
Know anybody with one of these? http://www.amazon.com/STEELMAN-9720...sim_263_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CGZPFYKN4G7GW5J403M
Does the tick increase with rpm? Does it go away at any point? If it does increase with rpm, does the tick match the rate of increase in rpm?
check for exhaust leaks with stethoscope or a hose to your ear. i suspect you have done this but have to suggest it till you verify its been done. check for leaks around the spark plugs in the same method as above. the fuel pump suggestion above is good. it has a spring in the pump to keep the arm on the cam. the spring can pop out and cause a tick noise in the motor. the valve springs could have problem. they rotate in their seats. it may have an edge its clicking on. could it be a bad spark plug wire that is arcing? what heads do you have? using a mechanics stethoscope should allow you to zero in on the noise. i will use the metal probe they come with to see zero in on the noise if its in the motor. i will remove the probe to listen for exhaust leaks, vacuum leaks, and even arcing plug wires. can you make a recording of the noise and post it?