Mark:

FE fuel pumps of that era had a habit of making a tapping sound, sounded like a lifter noise.  Pinch off or disconnect the flex fuel line while it's running and see if the noise changes when the carb is needing more fuel.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Check the valve springs for a shiny wear spot on the damper spring.  If this is seen, then the outer spring is likely not square and just ‘leaning’ in to the damper spring thus making some noise.  If not replaced, then that particular guide(s) will wear quicker than the others.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

How many miles has he driven thus far, if not many, usage may free them up and its may not be too big a concern. on the other hand, my brother had an Fe that had a tick and he got the lifter out with a magnet, took the clip off and tapped the lifter on the desk until the inside came out, found a small piece of debris in the lifter that was sticking it, reassembled the lifter and reinstalled it and was good to go. Not always that simple but may be worth a shot if you can get the lifter out.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

Finally pulled the valve covers off Daniel's engine in his 63 Merc... 390 2 bbl.  Pleasant surprise was no serious gunk build up present on the rockers, valve springs, etc.  Only problem appears to be that the front two rods on the dr side bank do not spin like the rest of them do.  There's also a tick from that area after running a few minutes.  Plenty of oil appears to be present and flowing, but no spinning on those two rods.  Don't the rods spin from riding on the tapered cam lobes?

Any ideas what we may have on our hands?

thanks in advance!

PS, I believe we have finally located  correct front and back seats for the car... now, I just need to figure out how to get them from Demming, NM to Houston!

Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX