i have a 305 with a cam. it has recently started making a tinking noise.

it is random at idle but when i give the car some gas it doesnt sound random anymore.

sorry to be vague.

 

Could be a lifter?

 

how hard would it be to change the lifter out. or i guess what im asking is would i have to remove the engine.

 

Been a while since I worked on a V8, but you should be able to just remove the intake and all the stuff on t0p of it and get to them pretty easy. Auto parts stores sell a tool that is pretty cheap so you can just reach in and pull them out, once the intake is removed from the engine, that is, if you have hydralic lifters. It will take you longer to get to them than to change them.

 

whats the oil pressure? has it dropped recently? whens the last time u changed the oil and what weight are u using?

 

A ticking noise might be a lifter. It could also be an exhaust leak, or a bad plug wire arcing to ground. You really need to pinpoint the source, before you take the engine apart just to find out it was a bad wire the whole time. To check for an ignition short, inspect everything closely at night with the engine running and look for sparks. To search for other engine noises, take a section of heater hose, hold one end to your ear, and prod around the engine with the other end. Or you could always do it the hard way and get yourself a mechanics stethoscope.

 

it is just overdue for a oil change. oil pressure has stayed the same. im using Castrol GTX 10w30 but i have only done one change since owning the car.

im going to have my uncle help me take a look too. but i wanted some ideas on what may be causing the issue so i could prepare my self for the worst.

ill fire the car up tonight and have a look for a short.

 

my uncle took a listen to the sound. he said it is not a metallic ticking from what he can tell. and he said it sounds more like it is coming from the back of the engine. he said if i had a intake leak i would loose vacuum and the car would drive really bad and it is still driving fine.

he didnt have much time to look things over so that is all i got from him.

 

Check the oil level, replace if needed (sounds like its due) While you are at it, may as well do a simple tune up. Dont go throwing money at a problem till you get it in shape. I think new oil will help..... once its done let us know how it sounds.

 

probly an exhaust leak.