If there a way to check if the lifters could be collapsing at engine speeds above 3000rpm? Also, is there anything i can do to remedy this short of replacing the cam and lifters? Like a motor flush or seafoam or something in the oil?

 

Is the top end of the engine sludged up????

 

Haven't pulled the valve cover yet, but i kind of doubt it...

It does have 219,3xx miles on it....

I guess they aren't really lifters....hydraulic lash adjusters......

 

Can't you look in through through the oil fill hole & see inside the cover, without having to remove it???

 

If the adjusters were collapsed on a Lima, you'd know it. They are LOUD if they are not pumped up.
tom

 

tomw, like this?

‪Vac gauge cold‬‏ - YouTube

Thats on a cold engine... It goes away a little once it warms up. Thats 4qts 10w-30 and 1 qt Lucas Oil Stabilizer....

The oil looks clean as new... I couldnt see any sludge through the filler, but there is a baffle there...

 

You could pull the cam cover, make sure you have a new gasket handy..., and walk the engine through the cylinders, checking the gap between the cam follower and the lobe.
You could also remove the followers the same way, keeping track of where they came from !absolutely! and then dis-assemble, clean, and re-assemble the lash adjusters.
The noise is close, but one that is collapsed is Very loud, close to a "rap". Yours doesn't sound that bad.
tom