Need some input on a 96 360 Dodge pickup that is somehow getting what I believe to be air trapped in the lifters. The engine has approximately 150,000 miles on it. He has been running 0W30 lil in it since new and ive never heard the rockers clatter before. As of about a month now he tells me it will start to get air trapped in the lifters.It has plenty of oil pressure and I had him change to a 15w40 oil and a bottle of lucas oil stabilizer. No change I went with him today to about 7 miles away and as soon as the engine as started,I could hear what sounded like 5 or 6 rockers. We got about 10 blocks and they completely quit ticking until we got off the highway again. Sometimes rpms seem to fix it,but then again coming back on the highway they started up again. Then they would quit till we got into town and started up again. He always changes the oil at about 2,000 miles,so thats not it.Somehow its getting air in the oil galley and causing the lifters to bleed down.
Dont think its a worn cam as it wouldnt get better like it does or pushrods or rocker pushrod seats or mushroomed stems. Is the oil pump pickup bolted or pressed on in a small block mopar? Wonder if it could be cracked and sucking air? No leaks like a galley plug or something. Engine has never been apart. Oil pressure is steady 45 lbs. Its soo hard to analyze without it apart,but having to pull the intake isnt going to be fun.
Dont think its a worn cam as it wouldnt get better like it does or pushrods or rocker pushrod seats or mushroomed stems. Is the oil pump pickup bolted or pressed on in a small block mopar? Wonder if it could be cracked and sucking air? No leaks like a galley plug or something. Engine has never been apart. Oil pressure is steady 45 lbs. Its soo hard to analyze without it apart,but having to pull the intake isnt going to be fun.