Phantom Lifter Noise

[Nate Stuart]

How is your oil level? After a recent oil change the 90 ticked like crazy
after a run through the autocross course, the oil was just a smidge below
the max fill line. I added some before the following run, putting it ~1/4"
above that mark and haven't had that problem since. My lifters haven't
gone berserk yet as it sounds yours are. They just clatter like mad for
~30 secs after the run if the oil isn't topped up....

-Nate
'89 90tickedyq
http://www.newtsplace.com/90tq

rms29 at cornell.edu said:
> During an autocross event last weekend, the normally docile lifter tick
> turned very loud on my 87 5kcs.  Every time it started the tick (quite an
> understatement, could be heard across a 75yd parking lot) would begin,
> and continue until I shut the car down.  Normally I will get loud tick
> for about 2-3 seconds, then relative quiet, which i understood as
> normal.  The intersting part of the story is the loud ticking (banging,
> whatever) stopped as soon as I left the parking lot and there were no
> longer people staring at the car.  Its been driven over 600 miles since
> then with no re-occurance of the loud tick.  Is this normal or should I
> really be looking for a problem?
>
> I've considered replacing the lifters and timing belt, but does this
> sound more like a clogged oil passage somewhere in the block/head as
> opposed to purely lifter problems?  I'd hate to pull the top end apart
> and replace said parts (may as well toss in a new cam too) if this is
> more indicitive of larger problems.
>
> Rob Shydo
> '87 5kcs
>