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I am hoping someone can give some advice. My 71 Mach 1 has a 351 Cleveland in it, recently the lifter started ticking, I was told to try a bottle of Lucas additive and drive it 50-100 miles to hope it comes out of it. Well it never did, the person who told me to try this said don't drive it anymore than that so you don't wreck more things. My question is all the experience I have growing up u never replace the lifters without replacing the cam also? It only makes sense but if I do have to replace cam I would like to get a bigger one to make it sound better. How do I know what what cam will work for me without getting to big of one, and go threw bending pushrods etc....? Thanks for anyones help/advice!
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Put about a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the motor. Drive it normal for several cycles or days and the lifter noise will go away. Once the lifter is clean and the noise is gone change your oil and filter - add some Lucas oil additive if you would like and enjoy the purr.
ATF is a cleaner. Have you ever seen a dirty transmission on the inside? Have you noticed how easy it is to clean the outside of an oily transmission, how the dirt lifts right off?
Of course my advice will not help you replace your camshaft. 
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I agree with Stephen, that was a trick my father taught me back in the old days. If that does not work, I would try just replacing the one lifter. Just remove the valve cover and the suspect rocker and they make a tool that will pull the lifter out without removing the head.
I'm no expert on replacement cams either, so if that is your goal, maybe some one else will post up some recommendations.
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Thanks guys for your help, I have already taken a quart of oil out to put that Lucas additive in it, do u think it will be fine just to drain another quart and put the tranny fluid in it? Would u recommend using the type F fluid or ?. Also if the tranny fluid doesnt work and u recommend replacing just the one, how do u figure out what lifter is bad? Once again thanks and I hope the tranny fluid works!
(09-24-2011, 12:18 AM)Endroman Wrote: I am hoping someone can give some advice. My 71 Mach 1 has a 351 Cleveland in it, recently the lifter started ticking, I was told to try a bottle of Lucas additive and drive it 50-100 miles to hope it comes out of it. Well it never did, the person who told me to try this said don't drive it anymore than that so you don't wreck more things. My question is all the experience I have growing up u never replace the lifters without replacing the cam also? It only makes sense but if I do have to replace cam I would like to get a bigger one to make it sound better. How do I know what what cam will work for me without getting to big of one, and go threw bending pushrods etc....? Thanks for anyones help/advice!
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How many miles are on the engine? If it's a high-mileage motor, it's possible the cam bearings are shot. This creates a low oil pressure situation with the lifters and will cause them to go "tick-tick-tick-tick". I learned the hard way with a 351W I used to run in a '69 Cougar. I replaced ALL the lifters. It made no difference because the problem was worn cam bearings.
But pouring in a quart of ATF is still a good idea. Almost any ATF will do. Just buy the cheapest thing on the shelf; typically the store brand.
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I want to say only 14000, I am the 3rd owner and the last owner wasn't for sure because original owner passed away. But motor has great oil pressure, the gauge is all the time past 1/2 point and when I start motor cold it's almost all the way over to the right. Thanks for advice!
quote='Klutch' pid='16263' dateline='1316875988']
How many miles are on the engine? If it's a high-mileage motor, it's possible the cam bearings are shot. This creates a low oil pressure situation with the lifters and will cause them to go "tick-tick-tick-tick". I learned the hard way with a 351W I used to run in a '69 Cougar. I replaced ALL the lifters. It made no difference because the problem was worn cam bearings.
But pouring in a quart of ATF is still a good idea. Almost any ATF will do. Just buy the cheapest thing on the shelf; typically the store brand.
[/quote]
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You can use a mechanics stethoscope or a plastic tube or rod if you have one laying around the house. You may be able to tell with the valve cover on, but I've started the engine with the valve cover off and listened to each rocker or push rod to find the tap. You may get a little oil spray with the cover off, don't rev the engine either.
Good luck.
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Thank you guys for telling me to put a qt of tranny fluid in....today had the Mach out and went about 100 miles and as I was about to the 50th the tick tick tick was gone!!!! Now I can enjoy my new exhaust with no tick LOVE it!! Thanks again everyone!
(09-24-2011, 12:31 AM)Steven Harris Wrote: Put about a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the motor. Drive it normal for several cycles or days and the lifter noise will go away. Once the lifter is clean and the noise is gone change your oil and filter - add some Lucas oil additive if you would like and enjoy the purr.
ATF is a cleaner. Have you ever seen a dirty transmission on the inside? Have you noticed how easy it is to clean the outside of an oily transmission, how the dirt lifts right off?
Of course my advice will not help you replace your camshaft.
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Glad to hear it worked for you.
Don't drive it forever with the tranny fluid in it. Change the oil and then just before it is time to change the oil the next time add another dose of tranny fluid and then change the oil after a few hundred miles. It will keep your engine flushed and clean.
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Good advice to know. I never heard of that before.
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