Im looking at buying this 1970 mustang with some noise coming out of the passenger side of the engine. i dont think its a manafold, and the guy selling it seemed to think it was a lifter.. Is that a big deal and how far can i drive the car with lifter prob. i live about 6 hours from where the car is being sold.. Oh and the engine is a 302

 

It may or may not be OK to drive for 6 hours. If it's a lifter bleed down issue, the answer's: probably OK to drive. If its a worn out cam lobe or mechanical condition, probably not OK to drive. You need to pull to valve cover. jlg

 

If the rockers are just out of adjustment, then it may not hurt it, but like jlg2002 said, it something is broken, bent, coming loose, etc. I would not drive it.

I drove my freshly purchased Mustang 5 hours home. Looking back on it, that was TOTALLY stupid. I could have easily been stranded somewhere and had a very expensive tow. Better to trailer it long distances until you know all the ins and outs of the car.

 

Trailer it but do not let Uhaul give you a 2 wheel dolly those things are CRAP. Get the full car trailer. You have have to lie to them to get it because they would not let me rent a full size one for my mustang when I told them what it was for, its insurance issues.

Depending on the price of the car I would maybe talk to a local mechanic in the area that you are buying it in, one with a good rep, and see if you can convince him to come with you and look at the car quick to see if there is any major engine issues. Of course you would pay him for his time. Better to spend a little money and find out what your getting yourself then spend a bunch and be surprised lol.

 

I had a slight tapping lifter on a 79 302 ford truck that I just ignored and it ran fine until I sold it about a year later.. I didnt know much about motors back then. The truck ran strong