Question on lifters making excessive noise

[FJ40Rules]

I have a 8/1974 FJ40 and the lifters are making a lot of noise. I found several with excessive gaps but the part that bothers me is when I started the engine with the valve cover off I did not see any oil dripping or flowing over the rocker arm. The was oil covering the springs and lifters but the rocker arm was shinny and some of the push rods looked dry. I have a new oil pump installed and the oil pressure is running just below the mark on the high side.

Is this normal for this engine and if not does anyone have any ideas?

 

[65swb45]

You would get more replies in the 40 series forum; just a fluke I found you here.

No, that is not normal. If you don't see oil within a minute of startup, you may have a delivery issue that is usually associated with putting the head gasket on backwards.

The '74 engine, often referred to as the F1.5 lubricates like a 2F, with oil being delivered via an internal passage in the head and one head bolt. It is common for people changing the head gasket to overlook the fact that the gasket is NOT symmetrical and needs to orient the single ovalized hole to line up with cylinder #4, where the passage for the rocker arms is.

Sorry to say, you may be in for a head gasket replacement. Good tho that you found it before things got worse.

When you have a chance, try sliding the rocker arms sideways to see if the rocker arm shaft is galled from lack of lubrication.

If need be, I have replacement parts for that, as well as head gaskets.

Best

Mark A.