I have a '62 Bird with the original M-code 390. I need some advice before I lose my mind with this. I had some lifter noise, especially after the oil warmed up. It has the original non-adjustable rocker arms and shaft.



I checked valve lash on every cylinder and they were all within the Ford spec. (.078-.218). I checked valve spring height and all were within spec. Using a dial indicator, I checked for cam lobe wear and once again, it was within the wear limit. I had to change two pushrods that were slightly bent. They were actually within the Ford spec. limit but to me they should be perfect, so I changed them all using the stock height for this engine...9.59".



Using a dial indicator, I noticed that four or five lifters were bleeding off way too fast..it only took seconds for them to collapse with the respective valve in the "open" position. What I like to do is, using a dial indicator in the top of the valve spring to ensure the valve is fully compressed or open. The "bad" cylinders would compress, then as the lifter collapsed, ride right up. So, I changed the lifters.



After reassembly, all my valve lash specs were .080-.100, depending on the valve. I start the engine and after warm up, notice there's still a ticking noise on the No.1 and No. 7 cylinders. Using a hose as a stethoscope, I narrow it down to the No. 1 exhaust and No. 7 intake. I took off the rocker shafts, clean up the faces that hit the valve, carefully smooth the wear marks on the top of the valve stems, reinstall them and still a ticking sound. I decide, what the heck, swap around the rocker shafts..because it had new pushrods and the rockers were smoothed where they hit the valves, so mating wear patterns wasn't important. I figured if the rocker shaft or rockers were bad, it would just "move" the problem to another cylinder by switching them around.



I start the engine, warm it up and it's much quieter. I think I have it licked. Today, I install the valve covers, give a once over tightening of the exhaust manifolds, start the car, let it warm up...and there's the damn ticking noise again. And it's noticeable and I felt like I accomplished nothing. The engine runs excellent, the new lifters aren't bleeding off like the old ones, so that's good. But I am losing my mind with this damn valve noise. ANY help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! HELP!

1962 M-code Thunderbird 390cid w. Three 2-BBL Induction