The '74 Dodge has been a terrific runner and driver for the past 3 months I've had it. I've put nearly 2500 miles on it already!
However, I've run into an intermittent problem that occurs only about once every 2 weeks. As most mopar small blocks will, it will run smooth and quiet throughout the day. Then, after sitting overnight, it'll start up with an impressively loud clack/tap that continues for 2 minutes or so before completely disappearing as if nothing ever happened.
Considering how it acts and sounds, and through probing with the stethoscope when it happens, I'm convinced it's a lifter problem.
Now, I'm sure I'm about to speak this forum's foul language (and it's usually foul language in my own book as well), but I think this engine is a good candidate to make an attempt with some sort of cleaning/flushing agent. I know for a fact that this truck sat for a significant amount of time at some point in it's life (it has 70k miles on it now and the last 40k of them were put on since 1978). Peeking through the fill hole in the valve cover, I see no indication of mal-maintenance - no sludge, no buildup. I've filled/drained the oil twice on it already and visually, haven't seen anything abnormal. The motor doesn't use much oil (just an occasional puff from leaky valve seals ) and runs sweet and quietly. Just one lifter seems to have a problem once in a while. And, while I do plan to pull and refresh this motor at some point, now is not the time for me.
Looking for thoughts/suggestions on the topic. Any magic potion worth a shot?
However, I've run into an intermittent problem that occurs only about once every 2 weeks. As most mopar small blocks will, it will run smooth and quiet throughout the day. Then, after sitting overnight, it'll start up with an impressively loud clack/tap that continues for 2 minutes or so before completely disappearing as if nothing ever happened.
Considering how it acts and sounds, and through probing with the stethoscope when it happens, I'm convinced it's a lifter problem.
Now, I'm sure I'm about to speak this forum's foul language (and it's usually foul language in my own book as well), but I think this engine is a good candidate to make an attempt with some sort of cleaning/flushing agent. I know for a fact that this truck sat for a significant amount of time at some point in it's life (it has 70k miles on it now and the last 40k of them were put on since 1978). Peeking through the fill hole in the valve cover, I see no indication of mal-maintenance - no sludge, no buildup. I've filled/drained the oil twice on it already and visually, haven't seen anything abnormal. The motor doesn't use much oil (just an occasional puff from leaky valve seals ) and runs sweet and quietly. Just one lifter seems to have a problem once in a while. And, while I do plan to pull and refresh this motor at some point, now is not the time for me.
Looking for thoughts/suggestions on the topic. Any magic potion worth a shot?