[V8] Sticky Tappets and Marbles

[Stafford, Kenneth A.]

As regards the ticking/rattling sounds especially from the pax side, my experience was that it gets worse with engine warming up (I assume lower oil pressure).  An engine that quiets down when warm sounds more like sticky/bad hydraulic lifters to me.  IIRC, there were a whole bunch of 3.6's with similar noises a few years ago--most, ironically happening just after T-belt change.  My own was accused as being a Diesel at idle when hot.  My 200K '91 was dead quiet immediately after start-up and always at 1500 or higher rpm.  After playing with the belt tensioner and making certain I wasn't just hearing belt-slap, I just figured it was probably the oil pump bearing...and lived with it.  

Ken