'84 4WD wagon.Hydraulic lifters....right Chris?I'll double check but if it's the adjustable type I have the tool.But it still seems like something else.

 

Any ideas why it won't tick all the time?

I have an oil pump re-seal kit ready to go in.I'll do it if needed but this problem seems to be something different.Can you explain,Mr.Spock?

 

Again,it's an intermittent problem....not consistant.My chest pops out when it's quiet.My ego deflates when I pick up my son at school and it sounds like I'm driving a giant wrist watch....the old kind. tick tick tick

Sounds to me like a seal. Letting air in sometimes under certain conditions yet sealing properly othertimes. Hopefully the kit will get you going w/o the tic tic tic!

My Brat had the same symptoms - I think it was an exhaust leak. Changed the y-pipe and haven't heard it since.

 

GD

if its an 84 engine its has solid lifters, unless its an auto

Or the engine was swapped out... I seem to recall clanteri doing that right moose?

 

GD

if its an 84 ENGINE its has solid lifters, unless its an auto

I meant if teh engine was an 84 its has solid lifters , unless its an auto.

YES! my hatch does this too!! Its so frikin annoying it seems to go away if i take it on the freeway. And then it will run super again. Also, it runs like crap when its ticking. I put in ATF and that seems to make the engine run much better. Should we try to change the oil pump gaskets?

Oil pump gasket kit is only $8 from the dealer, and takes 30 minutes if your being careful and cleaning things well as you go, so there's almost no reason not to. Give you a chance to inspect the pump mechanicals while your in there.

 

GD

Moose this happened to me just recently, turned out my crossover pipe had rattled loose. It seems like lifters are starving for oil, but thats the actual sold of engine without exault pipes....wierd. Clamped her down, good as gold.

Do what MC5 says - "CRANK UP THE JAMS, M###ER F###ER!"