327 lifter noise after drive

Posted by fory On 2013/6/9 0:19:37

Hey all, I just took my '53 Clipper out to the weekly cruise night, and when I got home I noticed all my lifters were making noise. If anybody remembers about a year ago I had a problem with plumbing, well it sounds just like it did with no oil to the lifters... Oil pressure is good, 25lbs at idle, around 40 at speed. Oil level is good, not full but about 1/4 way below full mark (she burns oil so this is normal after a long drive). Temp is good, between 190 and 200 which is decent for a 100+ degree day. I revved it up to see if the noise went away at higher rpm, but no go.

I am 99% sure I have hydraulic lifters. Engine number is L403316, out of a Cavalier I believe... I also just did an oil change yesterday, did fine on my commute to school (40 miles round trip, plus a little cruising around downtown). I notice a bit more smoke than usual as well. Is this a catastrophic problem, or is it just from being a hot day? Could the oil temp be too hot, making the oil too thin? Switch to 40w? Valve job time?? This is my only car at the moment, so I'm hoping It's not serious. I'll fire it up in the morning to see if it still makes noise.