292 with a nice ticking sound

[wancosc356]

Originally Posted by Heater63

I would bet on exhaust leak too, with black soot, you DO have some degree of a leak... but is it causing the sound you are hearing???
Don't discount the stethoscope. You can buy a cheap one under $10 at a nurses uniform shop; unscrew the head (called the bell) and throw away the thin plastic diagphram. Now hold the bell and go over the manifold gaskets (be carefull for the fan and belts!) and you will be amazed at what sounds you can pinpoint.
It could be detonation (pinging / knock) since you don't hear it at idle, but under load, and it started only after you altered the ignition system.
Your lifters are hydraulic and will be affected by low oil volume (mentioned above), and sludge---if thats the problem, some add a pint of Marvel Mystery Oil to the oil. They rarely need "tightening" but that could be the case. They can be adjusted with the engine running quickly, but messy. This is adjusting the "preload" and removes slack in the pushrod/rocker/valve train that can cause clicking. Takes more time, but less mess to adjust when engine is off. Either way, valve cover comes off. Should be plenty of articles online.
Get a mechanic to look at it for 1 minute. An experienced mechanic can usually tell the sound of an exhaust leak from a lifter within seconds. Not always, but usually.

Thanks for all the info.

Originally Posted by sixfour4x4

as for driving with an exhaust leak, it's not a horrible thing, you won't blow up anything.


only problem i have with oil additives is they tend to foam your oil and where there is air, there is no lubrication. i'd not recommend seafoam in the oil just because of the potential for cam or rodbearing destruction. you can use seafoam in the oil if you keep the RPMs low and replace oil IMMEDIATELY. I would suggest replacing the exhaust manifold gaskets first, it's cheap, and not life threatening. If you continue to have a problem...do some research or have someone else do it for you.

Thats what Ill do. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Heater63

Yeah, you would run the Marvel oil just a little while, then change the oil. I've seen it work on a sticky lifter. It's an old trick, but so am I.

OK, you've had all Saturday to play with this, what did you find out?? The suspense is killing us.

Ok. If it comes down to the marvel trick, Ill try it. Haha. I actually went and picked up a complete 5 lug front end and some other parts yesterday. So I didn't even get to mess with the truck. Im sure the suspense is killing everyone. haha

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

It could also be a compression leak due to a blown head gasket. You can blow a head gasket and not lose any coolant with these. I found mine this way after replacing the intake/exhaust gaskets.

hmmmmmm. Interesting. Lets hope not.

[wancosc356]

Wow! Its been a week since I messed with the truck. I pulled the intake/exhaust manifold and broke off a stud on the exhaust manifold. Then had to drill it out and tap it. Put a new stud in. Then cleaned up the manifolds and block surface. Got the gaskets all put in and started it up. It sounds better as far as it not sounding like leaking air anymore. But I do still have a tick. Not as bad though.

So tomorrow Im gonna adjust the lifters and hopefully not have to replace the rockers. If that doesn't fix it, I guess Ill do the marvel oil trick. Well see.

[wancosc356]

Ok guys. I adjusted the valves. They were all loose enough to spin with my fingers. Anyways, got it all taken care of. Put a new valve cover gasket on it. Let it dry for 24 hours. Started her up today. And still have a tick. It now sounds faster. But it is still there. It even does some at idle. I will admit though, it does seem to run much better as far a power is concerned. Should I just seafoam or marvel oil and go from there? Or does anyone else have suggestions?

[aerotruk63]

When the engine is running do you notice one lifter lower than the others?

Recheck your intake for cracks or leaks. My 194 head #6 cyl. rear exhaust stud nut allways comes loose. If you had a major leak before you might have a smaller one as well.

The doughnut (manifold to tailpipe gasket) is in good shape?

One HEI cap I installed made ticking sound till it wore in. Guess they didn't manufacture it properly.

You should really try the stethoscope as to pinpoint the source. A small expence that could save you time and $$$$$$$$

[wancosc356]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

When the engine is running do you notice one lifter lower than the others?

Recheck your intake for cracks or leaks. My 194 head #6 cyl. rear exhaust stud nut allways comes loose. If you had a major leak before you might have a smaller one as well.

The doughnut (manifold to tailpipe gasket) is in good shape?

One HEI cap I installed made ticking sound till it wore in. Guess they didn't manufacture it properly.

You should really try the stethoscope as to pinpoint the source. A small expence that could save you time and $$$$$$$$

I didn't run it with the valve cover off. I take it I should have....

I will go back and re tighten everything up. Kinda scared to now. THe 67 manual told me 55 lbs. of torque for the valve cover bolts and of course I broke one. haha

The doughnut is in good shape. Put a new one when doing the intake/exhaust gaskets.

Well I also had to get a new cap cause I broke that too. But it is the same brand.

Looks like Im buying a stethoscope today. Can I put Dr. on my paperwork from now on??? haha

Thanks

[daverod]

Sounds like an exhaust leak. Get some of the old ladys dish soap and see if you can blow bubbles. That's what it will look like if she catches you wasting her soap. I've had leaky headers on my F*rd for years I guess you just get use to it.

[aerotruk63]

So you put the soapy water on when it`s cold start not when it`s hot,just to clarify.