Thread: 69 Galaxie lifter sticking? I Guess?

Tweet

I have a 69 Ford Galaxie with 89,000 miles on original 390 engine. I while back I changed the oil pump in it and after putting everything back together, my engine started to make a ticking noise. I think the ticking noise is coming from the lifter sticking. How should I go about correcting this malfunction. Oh yeah, I'm really not a good mechanic. Any info. will be appreciated GREATLY! Thanxs WES

A sticking lifter ususally won't heal itself. With 89K on the engine, probably time for a new cam and lifters. Is the engine good otherwise??? How's the compression, and does it use any oil???

The engine is good. It doesn't use any oil at all. Its just this ticking noise that comes and goes. It didn't start until I drained all the oil out of it. You think the lifter collapsed and just needs replacing? What type of cam could I go with?

MAN! i'm glad I joined this club. LOL! An oil pressure gauge is something that I plan on adding to my vehicle. I have an oil light but I think the bulb came out or is blown. I can recall the oil light coming on while the car was idling in the past but I new that was normal because once I accelerated it went off. Thanks for all the advice. I really just want to get rid of the problem.

390's are finiky when it comes to oil weights and even brands. I've had 'em that rattled like a coffee can full of rocks with anything but Esso oil, 30 wt. And they ran for years on it. The original lifters need a LOT of oil to them to work right, aftermarket ones are better.
Did you change weights or brands when you did the pump job? And you might want to change the filter brand as well.

thanks guys! i'll let you know how it turns out.

I had a one ton with a 352 fe in it and it sounded like a box of rocks when it was idling. zero oil pressure at idle and like 5 psi at highway speed. the guy I sold it to ran it for a few years plowing his driveway and he sold it to someone else. It never let go.

Well, since I'm in the learning process, I called my uncle up and he's going to help me with it this weekend. I'll let you all know what we decide and do. Thanks again. I'm still open for more suggestions and comments.