I have a really loud lifter tap. since I can't adjust like on a chevy, what can I do? new push rod?

 

The first generation Olds engines had pretty crummy valvetrains in them. They are pretty notorious for lack of oil to the rockers. Have you isolated the cylinder it is on. I would pull the rocker arm assembly on whichever side it is on and inspect all the pushrods and rockers. If you are lucky, it is just a pushrod.

 

As mentioned, try to identify which valve's train is the noisy one. It will probably have some "lash" in it, which it shouldn't have. Sometimes, due to goop or varnish, the lifter's plunger will not fully expand to a no lash condition. If this is what happened, you will need to remove the lifter, disassemble it, and clean the interior. After the plunger will again move freely in the lifter the problem will resolve. If that is what happened, it's best to clean or replace all the lifters, and change the engine oil regularly. (When the Chevy lifters get stuck, you can take out the lash at the rocker, but it's not really the right way to fix it.)

 

If it is truly a stuck lifter (very common on this era Oldsmobile) often a oil change and a strong dose of upper valve treatment will free it up. I had a 63 Old's that would tell me that it had ran for 3000 miles and needed a oil change by sticking a lifter every 3000 miles without a missing a change. You might give it a try..... Tedd

 

thanks guys. I just changed the oil. reckon I will try a new push rod and rocker arm. if that don't do it, then I will tear into it. always wanter to see what the inside of a 324 looked like.

 

One word of caution is to NOT swap out the valve lifter; work only with the existing piece. Lifters and cams wear to work with each other during break-in. A new lifter could destroy the cam shaft lobe and that equals big $$$$$$. An experienced engine builder may know a work around but don't try it on your own. There are too many "flat cam" horror stories.

 

If it is a dirty lifter, I've found Rislone works pretty well at cleaning them out.

 

And there is also the possibility that the cam lobe has gone south and that's why the lifter isn't doing it's job. but check on the cheap stuff first... Tedd

 

just got a owners manual and it calls for 6 qts. of oil. I am only running 5. think maybe that could be causing the lifter noise?

 

I had a similar problem with my 394. Turned out to be two worn rockers. A good friend of mine was a GM tech back in the sixties. Valve lash was a common problem when components would wear out. They would grind the rocker shaft holders down wear it mounts to the head to take up the gap. Just a word of caution: half of the rocker shaft mounting bolts are also head bolts. After I disturbed mine, I had to replace the head gaskets.

 

Probably not, but it's still best to keep it full. Check the dipstick.