oxidation

I was coming back from a trip of about 10 miles this morning when I get off the highway and the engine is ticking REALLY loudly. The truck didn't seem to rev any differently and still has power, so I drove it home and checked under the hood before i went back to work. There is a loud ticking that's coming from the rear of the valve cover and increases speed with RPMs.

Now I've read a lot of posts that indicate that it could be a leak from the exhaust manifold. But my truck was already warm when I first heard it, and when I left my meeting it didn't have the sound. I'll investigate further, but if anyone has an idea of what i might be looking at i'd greatly appreciate it.

Good old Bill

Perhaps a lifter went flat and took some time to pump up. Dirt and crap could have kept oil from inflating it.

oxidation

Bill,
I think you're right about the lifter. I checked the dip stick and there was just an eighth of an inch on the end getting oil. My oil gauge was reading in the low to mid of the range. SO i added a gallon and the sound went right away.

Thanks.

screamindemon

my 85 did the same thing and it was a bent pushrod. i still aint figured out why it keeps bending that same pushrod