Sep 02 2007
Nasty tick-tick-tick….
Well, I have discovered where that tick-tick sound was coming from. It was of course in the lifters but it had me confused for a moment as I was sure that I had a pinhole leak in my exhaust manifold. I was able to isolate the majority of the noise to one particular cylinder by removing the spark plug leads one at a time (#1 cylinder was the culprit). I was actually able to see exhaust gases coming up through the lifter guide…that’s how far they had gone awry. So off came the carburretors, intake and exhaust manifolds, rocker shafts and finally the heads (bought a new torque wrench as a gift to myself). I could “wiggle” several of the lifters even while still under spring tension…but when the boys at Engines Extra stripped everything down and cleaned up the heads you would not believe the shape of the lifters and guides. The guides were oblong and the lifters had been worn down to 3/4 of their normal diameter. It’s amazing that the car pulled as strongly as it did for so long…and it is amazing that within one week I was able to hear such a difference as it finally fell apart. A few more days until I get the refurbished heads back (actually doing two sets as I now have a spare block that I am rebuilding…thanks to J.Jones Enterprises) … then once I get everything all re-installed I’ll have a few days of run in before heading down to Stowe for the British Invasion. Can’t wait!! Wish me luck!!
