Help diagnose engine ticking I

[jd21476]

So I fired up my 350 today and let her warm up. I noticed there was a loud and very noticeable ticking coming from the passenger side of the engine. It almost sounded like the exhaust header was loose and leaking air.

Anyway I drove for a while to see if it got better or worse. After a short trip it seemed to have almost gone away but you could still hear it a little bit.

Any ideas?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

How's the oil level? Flat tapper lifters smack when the oil level is low. Sometimes if an engine sits for a long time they stick and make noise till they fill with oil and get unstuck. Then there's a chance that it may just be loose. You can re lash everything and see how that works.

You may have an exhaust leak, they sound similar to the untrained ear, try an locate it I just put on new gaskets. Remflex makes some that will seal even the worst warped headers
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[jitteryguy]

if it get's better as ya drive it's probably a lifter that's bleed'n down, as ya drive it can/will pump back up. Lucas or a similar product can help for a while.
mine did this and I install'd a Cam kit.

[piecesparts]

Check the fuel pump for a bad rocker arm. It happens, the fuel pump gets worn and the push rod makes noise as the engine is driven. Change out the fuel pump before going to a larger expense to tear the engine apart.

[jd21476]

I should probably add that the truck was sitting with its nose up on a hill and idling for about 5 minutes before I noticed the noise.
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[piecesparts]

So, the oil pump is at the rear of the pan and the engine should work from the pressure from it.