85 302 with edelbrock alum heads, lifters, and pushrods. I adjusted the preload 3 times and I still have a tick from #4. It's loud enough for me to hear it at idle and gets worse under load. What's next on the list? Pull the pushrods from #4 cylinder and see if one is bent? Can I do that without doing a full top end tear down?

 

Yes, you can pull pushrods by simply loosening that rocker arm enough to turn it sideways, and pull the pushrod right out.

 

If the pushrod looks good, lifters would be next, right? I'll have to pull the head to get at them, correct?

 

No need to pull the heads. Just the intake manifold. If the pushrod is straight, then the lifter is at fault.

 

Awesome, thanks. Might be time for some upgrades while I'm in there

 

Make sure the pushrod is not binding on something. I had a similar problem on a

small block Chevy engine after putting on a new set of heads. After changing the

pushrod and then the lifter with no improvement we found the clicking pushrod

was rubbing on a hole that was slightly off where it passed thru the cylinder head.

a small grinder shaft fixed the hole and the problem was solved. So much for the

quality control on factory GM heads.

 

Could it be an exhaust leak? That could make a ticking sound as well.