Oil pressure is between 35 and 50 psi depending on temp and rpm. Has always made the same clattering noise as long as I've owned it, so it's just the ticking that's worrying me. You think it could be rod knock? Sounds too high pitched and infrequent to me, but I'm no expert.Sure you didnt fit a diesel to it? Sounds pretty bad, like rod piston noise, and some lifter noise as well. Can you get the sump off in the car? Check oil pressure with a gauge.
Seems like Mr. Sparky isn't the culprit unfortunately. How would I check for proper oil flow in the top end?forgot most the post info: Start it @ nite, look under hood. I bet U meet Mr Sparky dwn there (lights flashing all over the wiring). Warm day moisture comes up, colder later, condenses... at start time it's there waiting. May B not, but 1 guess. Deterioration of insulation over time? over this time period U mention? No, I'm way off. Just wishful thinkin~
Set timing for an experiment, change oil, put in 10W40 or 50. (I use rotella T4 -white bottle- as it has the flat tappet needs).
Later we can talk abt cking 2 C if oil is flowing thu top end as it should, lifters, etc...
Like it when others pipe in, lets see~
What's happening there is the residual oil pressure keeps pumping the lifters up while they are still and it's not being squeezed. Cold engine, OP takes as much as several seconds to drop to 0. I use this trick several times daily on a 300 with tired lifters. Sounds fine for the first minute then one or more lifters will tick. Clutch in, key off till OP drops near 0, let clutch out- totally quiet every time. Try watching OP gauge- soon as it's back to 0, re-fire. Any waiting past that is not doing anything.the '63 with Maverick 170 ticks when first started cold , less if started briefly then shut off - wait 10 seconds and restart - no ticking ...?