Re: Hydraulic Lifter Tick

Posted by kevinpackard On 2024/1/9 15:02:20

If it's a collapsing lifter, perhaps some chemical treatments can improve flow to the lifter, if there is some sort of obstruction. But if that doesn't work then it's probably time to remove the lifter, test it, and replace if necessary.

We'll be doing this on my brother-in-law's '52 with a 327. #1 cylinder has a lifter that sounds great on startup but as soon as the engine warms up it starts ticking loudly. Marvel Mystery Oil and Seafoam have had no effect, neither has many running cycles. So we'll be pulling the head to remove the valve and offending lifter this coming spring.

My understanding is that it can be done with the engine in the car, as long as you have an appropriate valve spring compressor. That's what we plan to do. We may take the passenger fender off to make access easier. With your 1950 you can remove the entire front clip as one unit and have easy access to the engine.

Fish n' Jim has a good point though. It could turn into much more work than you originally expected once you start pulling pieces off the engine. A lifter tick is annoying but I don't know if it causes any sort of problem.