I'm getting an annoying little ticking sound from the lifters in the back of the motor. It's increased since I put in synthetic oil (OK, make fun of me now). I don't think it's a huge deal. When this happened on my 71 ford 302 when I was a kid, I replaced just the pivot ***** (that's what haynes calls them) and I never had the noise again. Has anyone else done this? I probably need to replace the valve cover gasket anyhow, it's leaking a little.

 

found most the time it's the exhaust gasket is leaking. back bolt is known to break.

 

Thanks, I'll take a look at that also.

 

these engines make a fair amount of noise... that said usually when they start to make alot of noise there is a really good chance that the exhaust gasket has failed. Like stated check the back bolts as those seem to be the ones that fail the most.