v8hotrod

I have 85 MustangGT with about 13K miles that has been sitting for 15 years. I had the carb rebuilt, drained the gas tank and refilled it with fresh gas, installed an inline fuel filter, and changed the oil. I got the car running but noticed after it warmed up, a ticking sound coming from the drivers side valve cover. Also, the engine makes a popping or backfiring sound through the exhaust after reving the engine. It does seem to idle a little rough. I think all these problems are related, but I need a starting point. Any help is appreciated.

nseoi

after sitting that long i would have the heads refinished at a machine shop
you can get a felpro gasket and seal kit for under $100 to have all the valve seals and stuff new, im sure all that needs adjusting/replacing after sitting that long

1fast86

Sounds to me like you may have some sticking valves. Pull the valve cover off and turn the motor over by hand to make sure they are all moving properly. If you have a couple that are not moving at all, hit the top of the valve to unstick it. If that is not the problem then the lifter has collapsed and will need to be replaced.

86GT 93LX

yep and get a can of sefoam and run it thru the brake booster line to feed all the vacum lines. this will clean out alota crud and clean the intake valves inside the combustion chamber all that. i would run like 3 cans of seafoam thru it like that. the stuff works wonders !! and i agree on the above post

mjr46

most likely you have a lifter not pumping up.....pull valve cover and check for a loose rocker arm = collapsed lifter

brentloftis

You didn't mention it but I hope you also changed the plugs and wires as well. After 15 years how are the headers, could the ticking be a leak?

86GT 93LX

lol highly recommended. and the leaks sound like ticks for real, i had a 460 in a truck that i thought had a tick it was the exaust leak