stangalator

I was looking for a project car and I found this very nice 1988 GT. There is a load based tick. When driving around normally there is no tick (all rpms), only when you get on it a little does the tick get audible. Its not very loud but enough for me to be concerned with the internals of the valvetrain... It has no internal engine mods, only a full exhaust, gears, cai and a TB.

I was thinking a loose rocker would be audible at all engine loads correct? maybe a partially blown header gasket? it would only leak when the exhaust pressures increase?

what do you guys think? thanks!

mattdel

Sounds like pre ignition to me. Check timing, don't continue to romp on it until you figure it out.

stangalator

hmm, never considered pre-ignition or detonation as the source of the tick. He did say that it use to run 93 octane because the previous owner owner had adjusted the timing up. However he said that they put it back down because he wanted to run 87 in it (idk why). Prehaps he didn't set the timing back down to stock...

hmmmm.

mattdel

As you probably know, stock is 10 degrees BTDC. Also, the spout connector must be removed or the PCM maintains control and base timing is locked.