Lifter noise, tips? tricks?

[chasingsafety]

So, As title states, At idle I get a little lifter noise. I recently noticed it more after switching to mobile 1 5w30, but that was also about the time the weather was nice enough to drive with the windows down. Car has about 186,000 kilo's on it. Has anyone else had this issue? If so, what have you done to remedy it?

Thanks people!

[ZX2Fast]

We don't have lifters, we have overhead cams. There are buckets on top of the valve springs that the cam presses to move the valve. The fuel injectors on Ford's are very loud. This noise is often confused for cam or valve noise. If you do have noise from the buckets, then it is likely because they are worn and are jumping up to hit the cams. The way to check this is to pull the valve cover and use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance to see if it is in spec.

[KnightJovian]

ZX2Fast...

How much work would it be to replace the buckets?

and how exactly would you use a feeler gauge to test this.. what are you checking?

[Twiggy2cents]

umm well you have to measure every one and record them and then get select fit buckets/shims to replace them by..its a giant pita and its the cam that wears not the buckets so you just cant replace the buckets with the original ones

[chasingsafety]

Thanks for the info!
Anyone know off hand what the spec clearance is for that? Also, anyone know where I can find some quieter injectors? Thanks

[Twiggy2cents]

you wont find any quieter injectors its the design of the injectors..and also measure the clearance with the engine COLD

[mechtech]

Measure your clearance from the cam base to the lifters/shims/buckets.
Do this at TDC for each cyl. when stone cold.
Let us know what the clearance is.

[jbrone]

I don't think the P.O. used synthetic - he had all his maintenance done for him. So when I replaced the oil with 10W-30 Mobil 1, I notice more lifter/tappet noise. With high miles, do these engines do better with higher viscosity oils? (I'll search right after this.)

[ZX2Fast]

No, the VCT won't handle more then a 30 weight.

[Twiggy2cents]

even then 10-30 will make the vct erratic when its cold