Re: Here is what happened today. What would you do next?

Posted by BH On 2011/8/28 19:34:00

If oil pressure and/or the oil pump were the problem, I'd expect noise from a lot more than one lifter. I strongly recommend against throwing ANY parts at such a condition without proper diagnosis.

Yet, it's quite possible for gum/varnish to form in an engine that has seen little use, which could affect less than all lifters.

So, until you have opportunity to check oil pressure and inspect the pan, pickup and bearings, ans sicne oil is so fresh, you could try a dose of STP. That cured lifter noise in one of my '56 Patricians, where the previous owner had alleged the pump was replace with a PI unit (in a allegdly-rebuilt, used motor, after catastrophic, oil-related failure of the original engine).

High volume oil pumps are nothing new. In 1947, Packard announced a high-volume pump kit for Super Eights with hydraulic tappet noise caused by low oil pressure that had resulted from the normal opening up of bearing clearances. However, neither that nor the modern adaption for the V8 would provide long-lasting relief if bearings are excessively worn.