So I finally think I've narrowed down the noise I've posted about in the past. I think it's a lifter going bad. When I crank the truck up when it's cold it's a real loud tapping noise that almost sounds like hammers hitting together. As soon as the oil pressure builds up the noise stops and it doesn't make the noise again until it's cold again. I think it's going to be a lifter. Is it safe to drive it like this, or should I quit driving it? Also how hard are these to change? Any diy instructions? I don't feel comfortable tearing this far into it, but at the same time, I don't have a ton of extra money right now to pay for a major repair.

Also if I do it, what intake gasket do I need to get? I have a APS Pleneum kit, do I need a special gasket or just the regular one?

 

Just a quick question, which type of oil are you running and what viscosity?

 

Royal Purple 10w-30.

 

Next oil change, just go with some dino oil. 10w30, and see if the problem doesn't reduce itself.

 

Certainly worth a try, maybe even try 10w-40.

 

Didn't aims4squirrels have a bad lifter problem a while ago? I could've sworn that he posted how one of his lifters or camshaft lobes was damn near totally gone and his truck hardly missed a beat... He said he found the problem just doing an upgrade of the cam if im not mistaken. Quite possible that he never even knew there was a problem until he tore everything apart.

In any case, a buddy of mine and I took a cross country trip in a dodge and we had a torn up camshaft lobe which destroyed the lifter in our smallblock. You might be having that same issue.

Worst case scenario is that you'll need to pull your intake manifold, timing cover, lifters and camshaft out for proper service, however a worn camshaft lobe isnt going to totally kill your motor. Slight loss in power, yes. Total engine failure overnight, no. Definately start looking foward to repairing the top end of that engine of yours for sure though if that is for certain the case.

 

Should have figured it was about time for a major engine failure. It's the only original parts left on the truck. Every time I drive this truck something else breaks.

 

ive read that royal purple can be hard on our motors......i used synthetic, and now i switched back to conventional, and i have better oil psi....and i run 5w30.....maybe thats what you want to change to with the cold weather here.\

 

well i have replaced the lifters in my truck

if you can do a Pleneum repair you can replace them,,,, the only exart steps are pull vavle cove and rocker arms, pull out the push rods,,

like maybe a exrta 1-2 hours



try dino oil like said also maybe sum Rislone

 

+1 on the Rislone.