Lifter problem. HELP!
I had a bad ticking lifter in my 5.4 so i replaced the lifters (pain in the a** btw) and started it up, no noise at all. then i started it again later and the ticking sound came back! all that work for nothing. got a price on a replacement from a personal contact and I headed to their shop in my truck. On the way I kinda gave it a little more gas than usual and i the ticking faded into quiet. all i had was a stopped up oil line and the extra gas I gave helped unclog it. the motor was more quiet than it ever was. Im not saying this is your same problem but just a suggestion before you do anything drastic like i did.

