Ok so I have a 2000 5.4 with about 145,000 miles on it. It started this noise about 20,000 miles give or take. I read while back that its normal but it has gotten louder and louder since now its just annoying. I replaced all the spark plugs, needed to be done nothing looked wrong with them just normal wear. replaced the coils as well since one dropped out on the right side. So my question is if anyone can help what do you think the tapping is timing, a valve ,lifter etc...

Will be gone for a month on a hopefully quick deployment hope to have some info when im back thanks everyone

 

Sounds like a lifter to me..

 

Just at startup or constant?

What type and grade of oil do you run? What filter?
Was/is the truck maintained regularly?

 

My lifters do that on startup just let the truck get out of its high idle and the sound goes away. Maybe try and move to a 5-20 oil I did and it helped make the sound go away more quickly.

 

its constant, not so noticable while going down the road but with the window down you can hear it when slowing down and again when just sitting there

 

The modular engine doesn't have lifters they are valve lash adjusters that's most likely the problem or a timing problem heads and timing are everything in this engine the bottom of the engine is very basic just crank rods and piston rings quite different from the old pushrod v8 good luck and if its getting louder that's something I would start looking into

 

yah will get into the engine this weekend, tried to upload a recording so you guys could hear it. but will let you know what i find