Set-up to run at Bristol, perhaps?

 

could be, could be.
he is 21, and drives even faster than i do.

but then again, i did slow down a bit after i turned 50.

 

well, time for an update.

he brought the truck over yesterday, and it is definatly a valve tap, on the passenger side, either # 3, or #4. it was kinda cold, so we said the heck with it till it warms up, or i get the garage empty of the construction stuff. this morning, he called, and said it was banging like crazy, then just stopped. no more noise. it has been quiet for 3 hours now.

so unless it starts again, i think it fixed itself.

 

Might have been one of those pesky connecting rods a tappin' That's no good. Or it dropped a valve, I haven't heard of that happening, but anything is possible. Sounds like a low mileage salvage yard engine is the next step. I think there is a 5.4L in our classified ads.

 

NO,NO, Jimmy, the engine did not stop, the noise stopped.
he just called me about 10 minutes ago, and said it is purring like a kitten, and he has not heard the tick since it went quiet this morning. i figure he has about 300 miles on it today, and another 75 to get home.
he is on his way back from pennsy.

 

OH, well that's good news.
Perhaps whatever was causing the lash adjuster to stick has passed and all will be well or his spark plug that was loose has cocked and is getting ready to blow out taking the threads with it.

Hopefully it was the first option

 

or he found the volume button fer the radideo??

 

Didn't think about that!!

 

My 98 started tapping last winter. Clears up when warm. (mostly) Have had a spark plug eject and ex manifold leak. Down to two items. A cam follower or as suggested on this board, a cam tensioner. Of course not sayin it should be left unresolved, but that my motor has run quite a while. does not do this in warm weather.