chrisd6875

Thanks, I think that's the ticket. First thing I need to do is identify which side, for sure. Appreciate the responses...

03rjoslin3.8

would an exhaust leak also make a ticking when you accelerate? I have that problem, any gear I put it into it ticks when I accelerate, it is from the drivers side too. Don't mean to thread jack but its pretty similar. Would getting the BBK headers fix that problem by any chance? because I was thinking about doing that anyways.

Brian68

I had the same issue a year ago or so and thanks to the help from this site I was able to get it fixed. It was a cracked weld in the driverside manifold. The car would tick like crazy when first started then go away. I was told that the crack was so small that when the manifold heated up it expanded making the crack smaller closing it up. Thanks again to everyone in this site for all their help.

KillJoy

Don't forget, being a push rod, it is prone to a much noiser valve train than the ohc engine. A slight tap could also be caused by a lifter. I've never classified an exhaust leak as a tap..

john8228

i have the same ticking briefly during cold startups. So I gonna try moble1 10w30 with Lucas or royal purple oil treatment BUT I researched and it makes all the sense that when oil pressure is up it stops. So I hope the key here is a oil filter with a BACK FLOW PREVENTER k&n and motorcraft make some nice oil filters that help keep the oil towards the top of the engine. I will update soon.

john8228

exhaust leak at manifold. take shop vac push the hose over your muffler duct tape hose so air will not escape. with key off turn on shop vac to send air in your exhaust, listen check all valves at manifold by ear if you have a leak you will hear the air escaping. pinpoint with finger. tighten manifold or change gasket. if your hear or feel no air escaping. then you know its not your exhaust. that evil ticking got the best off me mentally for a while. friends and family with their doomsday 2 cents,,,, your bearings are going out... lifters or lashers sticking.. timing chain is going out.. wtf!!!! just be proactive and do this first. all i had to do was tighten my manifold.

Sawfish

Same with my 2000. Mechanic said the Ford "robo-welder" had missed a spot. It has been fine ever since.