Ok so, I've heard plenty of lifter noise when engines are cold, but this particular 390 has a lifter that sounds like it's sticking once the engine is warmed up - the noise it makes is like the standard 'tick', but is much much louder. Does anyone know what could cause this, and how I can fix it without tearing the top-end down? The engine is in a 76 f150, I don't know if it was put in or if it came from the factory that way - (I think the cab has been changed) But I was told it's a fairly recent rebuild.. doesn't have any blow-by anyway. It runs silent when it's cold, then it's starts with a small tick as it gradually warms up which turns into a very loud tick shortly there after. I've thought about running some additive through the oil, but not sure on that one.

As far as I know it's stock with the exception of an Edlebrock intake that says "Performer 390" on it and a Carter 4 barrel carb.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

why not pop off your valve covers and make sure everything is in place.
just about any valve train noise can sound lifterish.

What are the chances this tick is an exhaust leak? check the free junk first.

 

Also, that sounds alot like a main bearing knock, when was the last time you changed the oil and what weight

 

It's definitely on the top end. I use standard 10-40 in it. I'm going to have to pull the motor anyway I realized after doing some tinkering this weekend, so i'll tear it down and fix any issues i come across.

thanks for your help, though.

 

Could be a worn rocker arm bushing or shaft. As the oil thins out the dimensions aren't cushioned by the thicker cold oil. Hope my statement is as clear as my thought process.

 

You say you did some tinkering like what ?? To now gives you an idea to pull the motor down. It maybe your fuel pump making all that noise. I've had one once that, I would have bet money on the was a rod pounding. after a inspection on the bearing i pulled the fuel pump and sure enough it was in need of replacing. That was the end of my noise..
orich

 

I had water leaking from the thermostat housing, so I fixed that, started it back again to let it warm up to see if the leak stopped, and the rear main started leaking pretty badly. It's also got some bearing noise at about 2500 rpm, and since I don't want to mess with trying to change the main seal with it in the truck, I'm just going to pull it, and inspect the rod and main bearings when I have the motor out; as well as the fuel pump, etc. In other words, I don't believe what I was told about the condition of the engine, so I'm going to go through it while it's out - which isn't a problem, since I'll be doing all the body work at that time as well, and figure out why my xfer case is stuck, and replace some missing parts in the shift linkage so it'll go into park.

fwiw, it has an in-line fuel pressure gauge next to the carb, it sits at about 8 psi

 

After a few minutes of 3000+rpm, the rebuilt 390 in my Cobra had a ticking noise in the top end. Come to find out the high volume oil pump was sucking the 8 quart oil pan dry. the addition of 2 extra quarts of oil solved all of my issues.

 

Hmmm that would mean a whole lot of oil not returning to the pan right!
So where could it be at filling up your valve covers or lifter valley ?
Or your pump maybe sucking air at the pickup tube?? Just something to think about..
my 2cents
orich

 

It was filling up the oil cooler, remote filter housing, & all of the 11 feet of 12A/N oil hose.