I had that tick and got #0304, but very rarely. Then my engine overheated (probably a cracked block). Put a RR engine in. Purrs like a kitten.

 

Liz, sounds just like 'normal' lifter tick. Can be from low oil pressure at idle or incorrect lifter/rod height (IE: not set up or worn parts or dirt in lifter ports)... I have it in my rebuild because I was too lazy to do all of this:

just replacing the rocker arm assemblies does not fix it. In fact, some of the new arm casting sold on line are complete garbage...

 

Broad strokes, that engine sounds to me overall 'normal'. Maybe a little louder version of normal, but overall normal. That being said, I've chased some of those ticking sounds, misplacing them on way more complicated causes, when at the end of the day, and on several occasions, it's been a simple exhaust leak like @Richard Gallant eluded to. Over two separate Discos exhaust leaks have been found to be the cuprit of weird ticking:

- Twice it's been the Y-pipe gasket
- Once it's been the weld around the Y-pipe flange where it mates to the manifolds. A quick $50 at a machine shop fixed this.
- Twice it's been the exhaust manifold gasket
- Most recently last month the weld where the pipe attaches to the muffler had a pinhole leak. Again, $50 at the machine shop for a new bead fixed this.

Point being, if you think it might be something internally related, always first rule out an exhaust leak. They pop up unexpectedly and have so many different sounds that could lead someone to think the problem is way worse than it actually is.

The tried and true test that always works for me is shoving a shop vac hose into the tailpipe in the blower position, turn it on, spray soapy water along the entire length of the exhaust system. Ideally engine is stone cold and of course off.

 

I assume the oil pressure light is off, you said it ticks even when cold. If both are true, you need to do the exhaust test and an oil pressure test. Do a search, both are easy to do. If oil pressure is low, you could have a bad rod bearing or a walked cam bearing or a cracked oil pump, none of which requires a complete rebuild nor engine removal.

 

Sounds like a lifter to me, it's in perfect, consistent, rhythm with the engine rotation. Exhaust usually varies, somewhat, because several cylinders are firing into one bank/manifold and if it has a leak at y-pipe flange, each cylinder on that bank will cause a ticking noise...so basically, you're going to get four ticks every rotation, whereas a lifter is one tick per rotation. To me. This tick sound inline with rpm. Like Richard said, very common issue with these thing, lifters. Last two l had a part, both had two or three lifters that were collapsed or the upper retainer spring inside was missing.

Have someone drop the oil, then have them check it for foreign deposits or excessive debris or pay to have it analysised. This will kind of give you an idea about the condition of the bottom end. But truth be told, going by your video...not really hearing any low dense/heavier knocking. Plus, as mentioned...your oil light isn't on, so that's a good thing. If you had excessively worn rod or main bearings...it would probably be flicking at idle.

However, if the oil pressure is low, but not low enough to set off low oil lamp...it could still be low enough that the top end isn't get sufficient lubrication to value train/lifters. Bottom end gets oil first, then the top end...they like to protect the more difficult/expensive components first.

And yes, second opinions are always a good thing, especially if each shop is equal in knowledge.

Disclaimer, l've only been a mechanic for forty six years...so take this advice with a grain of salt...lol.

Best of luck with your endeavor.

 

you should have seen all the sludge blocking the rocker arm oil passages in mine at 140,000. I think only one was open internally.....sooooo...even if you have good oil pressure other things can get in your way...but it's amazing how many miles you can do even with limited rocker assembly lubrication..... just another thing to look for...


Blocked In Here.....

 

One piece of advice I can give. " it is never the oil pump" it is always something else.
Question: when the engine is cold is the noise there? to me it really sounds like the classic slipped liner tap. All 3 of the disco 2's I have had did have this issue.

 

Yes the noise is always there regardless of temp. Some days it's louder than others, but i haven't been able to catch any pattern on why.

 

This is what's so confusing to me. Everyone is saying rockers/lifters but I just had the whole assembly replaced on both sides!

 

there's been an issue with quality of lifters and rocker assemblies..so it wouldn't be shocking if some lifters have already collapsed.