Sounds fine at idle or just above, but any rpms and clicking/tapping noise like maybe something not getting oil? Motor runs strong still. Oil pressure gauge reads good, in fact it actually reads on the high end. Engine not original, it is an FE but unsure any other info, maybe 360/390? Just pulled the valve covers to see if something dry, nothing individual, but started the motor to check oiling and I expected oil to be squirting out like crazy from pushrods, especially revved up. Nothing. Suggestions? I'm thinking an oil passage must be clogged, gonna drop the pan and start there anyway. Thanks for any input!

 

remove the fuel pump and see if it goes away, would be one suggestion.

 

OK, wouldn't have checked there, thanks

oil pan looks normal, no chunks at pickup screen

other info: started making the noise after stuck in mud/water and revved for awhile. Kept it running, but water was splashed about, and I revved it quite a bit.

 

Possibly a bent push rod due to over revving. Dunno I happen to have one in front of me right now so it kinda comes to mind.

 

Is this the factory gauge in the dash, or one with actual numbers on it?

 

Is it a noise like this :
YouTube - Ford 360 FE on idel
it was a bad cam and lifter .
arne s.

 

Oldboy460: no pushrods appear bent, I recently replaced 3 on grandpa's 460 that were bent, looked like "?"

Hypoid: factory dash gauge

IHdiesel: Idle sounds normal, its when revved up off idle a few hundred rpm the noise is audible.

My thought process was I expected oil to pump out of pushrods at rocker arms vigorously, and upon not seeing that I thought oiling problem. Perhaps drop oil pump and look around? Put it together and run motor flush through it? Or maybe damage is done and cam/lifters ruined?

 

Draining the oil and cutting the filter open are a good start. That'll show any metal debris if any. So there is zero oil coming out from the rockers? How old is this engine far as mileage or rebuild?

 

no metal debris in pan

unknown miles, I swapped it in about 18 months ago, had been a good runner in another pickup, before I put it in I inspected bearings, timing chain, cause oil pan had to change anyway, my truck is 4x4 and previous was 2x4, rear sump, etc. anyway all good. strong runner. Doesn't the FE supply oil to rocker shaft first or full pressure? If so, mine is not so starting thinking oil supply issue, if there is a way to clean oil passages maybe it can be saved without removal?

 

Do not put flush in a motor. That is akin bearing sandpaper.

 

FE's do not push oil through the pushrods. They have a separate oiling system that feeds the rocker shaft.

I'm thinking a bad lifter, or worse, a worn cam load.

While you had the valve covers off, were any rockers not moving as much as the others?

 

OK, thanks friends!

gonna pull oil pump, if all looks ok put it together with fresh oil and see if it clears up.

 

We never asked, does the noise keep time with the crank, or does it kinda skip a beat?

 

Yeah, "sounds fine at idle or just above".

Does it only tick when you accelerate, and when you coast, it goes away? Could be an exhaust leak.

 

I was putting it back together last night. Cleaned the oil pump and pickup tube, put it back on. Cleaned and painted the oil pan, got it in position, started 90% of the bolts before I realized: forgot the drive rod between distributor and oil pump. Rookie! So after a good night sleep I'll tackle it today as time allows.

Exhaust leak? hmmm, thats possible I suppose. Here's my question: with valve cover off and engine running, isn't there a noticeable amount of oil pumping thru? I realize that may not be the source of my noise, but all other engines I've had run a lot of oil around rockers.