noisy lifter?

[evolution23]

94 gts-25t

before my clutch went i noticed while idling my engine had a tick to it. it wasnt too loud but was enough to catch my attention. i think its just a lifter making some noise but not 100% sure. i can only hear it at idle but the exhaust is kind of loud so it might just be drowning it out above 700rpm. Anyways, i have the valve covers off right now so i figured if anyone knew how i could check to see which one it would be and how to stop it that would be great. i know on older v8's we have removed valve covers, fired it up and loosened then snugged up 1 by 1 until we got the right one but on the rb (with stock intake and j-pipe) its doesnt seem that simple.

What else could it be? it doesnt sound like detonation or anything in the engine, sounds like your average noisy lifter just not very loud yet.

[Skym]

Ticking sound can be the FPR or injectors clicking (normal).

On my car, noisey lifters was due to running too thick oil (10w60) and a camcover leak making lifters sound louder. Fixing camcover leak via changing gaskets, grommets under screws, half moons solved the lifter sound problem due to leak and running 10w40 oil made the lifters alot quieter. Engine oil thickness at factory is 7.5w30 and oil is choosen based on oiltemps, oilpressure (worth buying those gauges).

If lifters are noisey and the above is not the cause, sometimes pulling lifters apart and cleaning the surfaces (built up sludge makes them lock and get a wacking sound), then reassembling lifters can make them run like new (sometimes lifter is locked, so can't disassemble lifter and need a replacement lifter). There's how to's (pulling apart and cleaning lifters) on the internet if you search. Just don't mix parts of lifters together, as each lifter is bed-in with each cam lobe and should go back in same spot in head with the same parts.

Other area's that create similar sounds is waterpump, CAS, so check CAS, waterpump with a Stethoscope.

[evolution23]

Ticking sound can be the FPR or injectors clicking (normal).

On my car, noisey lifters was due to running too thick oil (10w60) and a camcover leak making lifters sound louder. Fixing camcover leak via changing gaskets, grommets under screws, half moons solved the lifter sound problem due to leak and running 10w40 oil made the lifters alot quieter. Engine oil thickness at factory is 7.5w30 and oil is choosen based on oiltemps, oilpressure (worth buying those gauges).

If lifters are noisey and the above is not the cause, sometimes pulling lifters apart and cleaning the surfaces (built up sludge makes them lock and get a wacking sound), then reassembling lifters can make them run like new (sometimes lifter is locked, so can't disassemble lifter and need a replacement lifter). There's how to's (pulling apart and cleaning lifters) on the internet if you search. Just don't mix parts of lifters together, as each lifter is bed-in with each cam lobe and should go back in same spot in head with the same parts.

Other area's that create similar sounds is waterpump, CAS, so check CAS, waterpump with a Stethoscope.

well, water pump is getting replaced hopefully tomorrow. im doing the 100k service which included the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, idler, tensioner, spring, cam seals, and the front main seal. i havent checked how to change the cam seals and front main seal yet so not sure if thats a huge job or not. if its fairly straight forward then ill change them as well. and also have new valve cover gaskets and grommets on the way and a new CAS gasket, clutch and TOB. as for the oil im using, its 10w40 royal purple synthetic. and i do know that both of my valve cover seals were leaking at one time at the very front as there was some silicone to seal it up. and im using a sard fpr and stock injectors still, it could be an injector. ill look everything over before it all goes back together in a week or 2 and then hopefully its gone