Tic Tic Hopefully No Boom

My engine expertise is very limited. Cranking up my 304 it sounds fine and is good for about 15-20 min. of active driving. After that I get a faint metallic tic sound as the engine cycles; more apparent while idling, but still there when driving.

My dad thought it was a lifter arm, but wasn't sure. I don't want to throw a rod or anything, so I've been getting nervous. My buddy just thinks I've got some gunk in there and need to run a fuel treatment.

Opinions?:? Suggestions?

 

A weak hydraulic lifter is a possibility. Exhaust leaks can often be mistaken for lifter noise too.

What's your oil pressure at hot idle?

 

What is your oil preasure doing at this time? Does it drop really low as the engine warms up?

If so then you could have worn crank bearings.

 

Yeah my oil pressure does get real low (I think). My gauges are somewhat of a joke at this point and I don't know what to believe on them. But let's believe the oil gauge for a sec.... in that case it does start off high and eventually settles into being real low while idling, but still goes back up with driving. But that light pinging is still there when I gas up, and the oil pressure goes up accordingly.

Got any pics of what damaged bearings look like? Thanks for the help and sorry I'm not quite that knowledgable on these areas.

 

Also, I do have a strong smell of exhaust. I always thought it was normal, but that could explain a lot as well.

 

The only way to check the bearings is to tear down the bottom end and use a guage. (I think) Do you know how many miles are on this engine?

Oil preasure will drop even on a good engine as it warms up. You should have around 20 PSI at warm idle. My recently rebuilt 258 is about 25 PSI at warm idle. This will give you a kind of benchmark.

I think all CJ-5s have a strong exhaust smell. Mine does too.

 

It's supposedly been rebuilt right before the PO got it. I'm having doubts about it, and even if it was done I feel the job might have not been that great. I really need an expert to do a whole engine run down for me.

 

First and cheapest thing to check is the torque on the exhaust manifold and make sure you dont have an exhaust leak. As stated above.

Next try to determine where the noise is coming from.

 

How much pressure should be applied to the manifold?

 

Hmm, dont have my manual here at work with me. You can pick up a chilton or hayes for less then $20 and it is a good investment when you are working on your own stuff. It has all the torque specs and other info you need.

 

Are you running headers or stock manifolds?

 

I've got a Hayes at home, so I'll look it up. (I'm just killing time at work) Thanks.