OK, you guys know the story...

I've got an 86 GCT daily beater with about 140K miles of which I've driven approx 10K. Recently I've had one lifter that just won't shut up - clatter (loud) nearly all the time, fresh oil or not. I've done 3 changes in the 10K miles, all with Bosch filter, 2 with 10/40. Currently running 20/50 dino oil for spring, changed 1 week ago. The engine otherwise seems tight - essentially zero oil usage, no puff on start up, no bearing rattle, oil idiot goes dark immediately on startup, runs pretty smoothly, pulls nice.

Should I...

1. Shut up and live with it?

2. Replace the lifters and not touch anything else?

3. Have the entire head redone?

It would seem something of a waste to redo the head as all seems otherwise fine - as I said, there appears to be no problem with oil usage, therefore no reason to bother with valve guides, etc.

My instincts say #2...

Anyone here do this? If so, were you satisfied with results?

Thanks,

Chris

Have you run anything through the engine. I've used MM oil and had it shut the lifters up for a good part of the oil change.

If you do go ahead and put some new lifters in, you might as well put the 272 camshaft in. Blau cuts you a good deal on the lifters if you but the cam at the same time. Just food for thought.

One ticking part that others have mentioned frequently is the vacume booster pump. If you take out the rod that connects it to the cam you can quickly find out if that is your tick or not.

It would really suck to change all the lifters and still have a tick!

my 2 cents for this evening

dealer lifters is only a hair over $10 and they are the best lifters

i didnt know that either :) must be in the fine print :)

does it tick all the time ???


TonyC

Thanks for the info...I'll check the vacuum booster and I don't think I'll spring for any cams as the engine is otherwise completely stock, 17 years old, and has 140K miles. Granted, it appears to be pretty robust for its age (possible lifters notwithstanding), and more speed is always good, but I only use the thing as a commuter and that won't be forever. Rather than the cam, I'll spend the $ to change the t-belt and water pump...


CJ

Yeah, that's crazy. It's been there all this time. "We won't be beat" on their order terms page. This is great.

I'm gonna get some stuff that's cheaper elsewhere, and try to get the free shipping and maybe even my preferred customer discount. Even if I don't get the preferred customer discount over and above the price matching, it will be a decent deal.

Thanks for pointing that out!