I think, I have a sticky valve (tick tick tick tick tick tick faster with increasing RPM), I was told to put a quart of transmission oil in when I do my next oil change then drive it a couple days, then replace the oil again. The transmission oil will loosen up the valve. Is this correct?

 

Try Marvel Mystery oil instead. About the same thing but you can leave it in. Check the level often to make sure you are OK.

 

If you do add any type of oil to try to free up a stickey lifter, change your oil after about 100 miles or so. If the problem persists, do it again, and change it after another 100. I added Marvel's Mystery to a friends Ford van, it worked - for a while.
Jim

 

Sounds like this will only fix the problem temporarily, what can I do to fix this permanently. I do plan on putting new heads, intake, cam and carb, but wanted to wait about 6-12 months before doing so.

 

Well a permanent fix is going to be a valve/head job. Try the Marvel's Mystery oil and see how long that will last you. Like said before, you don't have to change your oil every hundred miles or so with that stuff like you would with transmission fluid. Also, consider a slightly thinner oil. Not sure what you are running.

 

Actually it is not a sticking valve, if you have a valve that is not opening your engine would be running like poopoo and you didn't mention that.

The clicking means you have lost preload on the rocker/valve so the push rod is slapping into the rocker like on a solid lifter car when it is first started. With a hydraulic lifter engine (all Fords except the K code) there are possibilities:

1) the adjustment nut on the rocker has backed off loosing the preload - try adjusting the rockers, see the FAQ section.
2) there is junk in the lifter blocking the flow of oil through the lifter; ATF is a very high detergent oil and wasa recommended Ford procedure for freeing lifters. There are also a wide variety of products at the auto parts store to quite lifters, including Marvel which is probably as good as any. Try one if adjusting the lifter doesn't work.
3) bent push rod - can be replaced but you should investigate why the rod bent.
4) collapsed lifter - the internal parts have gone south, replacement is the only fix. This can be done without removing the heads but is usually done in connection with other work. Since you're going to do engine work in a few months you could just try to ride it out.

 

Ya know John, you are a pretty fart smeller....errr. smart feller.
Your posts on here are right on, and I appreciate that.

 

ATF will help clean the engine, but using a good engine cleaner/flush would be a good idea, too.

I ran collapsed lifters for quite some time...but I have adjustable rockers and just turned 'em into poor mechanical lifters (I do have new lifter now...finally).

 

Thanks, I appreciate being appreciated.

The original post suggested the lifter problem. I've heard leaky exhaust manifold/header gaskets that sounded a lot like a sticky lifter. I would check that first, especially if there are headers involved.

 

Thanks for all the info. I learn so much on this site it is ridiculous.