re. lifters..

[Swann, Benjamin R. (BSWANN)]

[hello listers.  i know its been ran through and through, but i didn't
get the chance to read the posts earlier.  the car in question is a 1988
audi 90 FWD with the noisy annoying tick. (that IS the lifters eh?)
anyhoo, when i start it, sometimes i can rev it a bit and they will shut
up but damn are they annoying.  so i  remember seeing that atf  in your oil
will
help, but i also saw some people had serious probs afterwards.  and the
obvious answer... replacement.  what do these things run?  i have no
idea what they even are (funny eh?) so is this something i could do?  i
am SORTA handy with the engine.  well i know i will get some help so
thanks in advance!]

Lifters are the guys that help you when you do your engine swap;]

Ok - joking aside.  I would start with a higher viscosity oil, not atf.  If
the lifters are really shot, then replace them.  Thepartsconnection and
Chris semple have them - not that expensive.  That would be the time to
upgrade your cam too.

Ben