[kd5boc]

Started noticing this ticking sound after I installed a Mallory Hyfire and adjusting my timing.

355ci w/dart heads

Symptom 1)
When I used to bring the rpm's up it would run smooth, and for about 2 weeks after the install it did, but now it starts missing around 2500-2800. Took vacuum from dist and it went away...so leads me to have too much timing, but it has been the same for about 6 months, and this started recently.

Symptom 2)
When the engine is cold, it doesn't tick. Once it's warmed up and been driven a bit, it ticks at idle (750rpm in gear, and louder at 1100 in neutral) If I drop the idle to 450-500, it goes away. If I bring it up, it gets quieter (or the exhaust covers it up.)

It sounds like a rod/wristpin knock from driver's side underneath, but it ticks at the same rate as the lifters, not at the crank rate. (6.25Hz...750 rpm) It also sounds like it's coming from either #5 or #7 on the top end.

I have good oil pressure, and it runs GREAT on the road. No lag or missing, sputtering, etc. It just ticks at idle and misses if I bring the rpms to 2500-2800. Runs fine in gear at that rpm.

I would like to tighten or loosen the lifters, but I don't want to get squirted with oil.

I've also heard that loose converter bolts could do it, but it doesn't seem like the right frequency for that. Or that I could remove a plug wire and see what happens, but not sure about that.

What do you guys think?

Tom

[docvette]

[size=3]Doc Here

The wrist pin would be a double knock (X2 the rotation) and medium in tone, The rod would be deep tone , and single in nature becoming more pronounced under load...

From what you describe, Dosen't sound like either.

Try adjusting the lifters on that side, a loose intake would probably tick, and miss at rpm increase.

If you don't want to spill oil all over, get an old valve cover from the bone-yard or buddy's junk pile, and layout some guide lines about where the adjusters are, drill a hole big enough to get a metal cutting sabre saw blade into it and cut out your lines...just use that while adjusting your valves, If you get some splash, cover the ones your not working with, with duct tape as you move along.

If you can't adjust it out, You may have a clog..pull the lifter and clean or replace it (them).

Clean and change the oil and filter.

Hope it helps!
Doc [/size]

[kd5boc]

Just decided to adjust them all...(Man I hate high compression engines!)

It seemed to have a few just on the loose side, and a few on the tight side. Glad I decided to adjust them.

I'll end up taking it for a cruise tonight. I'll fill you guys in on what I find....

If it ends up bing a lifter, then I'll just have to go out and get that cam I wanted.

[kd5boc]

FOUND IT!!!!

I adjusted my valves, and took it for a ride. It idles a little better, seemed to run better, abut the ticking showed up again. I listened and then realized that a few bolts on my exhause manifold were loose. IT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK!!!

Now I just have to get longer bolts as they are way too short. The heads grab about 3 threads, so needless to say it is an easy fix...just hard to troubleshoot.

Thanks for the help doc...car runs better now!

[docvette]

[size=3]Doc here

Glad to hear you found and fixed it...

And that it was an easy fix!

Thanks for posting back and letting us know! Might help the next guy...

Doc [/size]