Diagnosing bad lifters in a SBC 350?

[nat]

I am worried about my lifters in my Chevy 350. I can hear something that I thought was an exhaust leak. I disconnected the belt and ran the motor with no fan. After cupping my hands around the exhaust manifolds and joints, I could feel no exhaust escaping.

I am wondering about bad/sticky lifters. What are some symptoms or ways to check them? I was going to pull the valve cover and watch the valves working, that is the only way I can think of.

 

[Mace]

They would "tick" like mad if they were bad..

 

[Gumby]

It does sound a lot like an exhaust leak. My headers tick like crazy every so often and I have to go in and tighten them up.

A mechanics stethoscope works well at diagnosing lifters. You can do the same thing with a long screwdriver. Put the end against the intake or valve cover and the handle against your ear. The mechanical hammering of noisy lifters will sound much louder. Exhaust leaks will not.

 

[sixty]

an exhuast leak will stop ticking on deceleration. Rev the motor and if it is an exhaust leak it will quiet down when you let off on the throttle. if its is still noisy use a stethescope.

 

[nat]

Good suggestions.........the valve train does sound noisy.

This is on the side that I put the O2 sensor.......of course

Thanks