collapsed lifter of wiped cam?
 

This is my first BBC a 454. I started hearing a nasty ticking noise coming from under the valve cover, so i checked and adjusted the rocker arms. That didn't help I then noticed I wasn't getting oil out of one of the push rods. I talked to a couple local guys and they tell me it's probably a collapsed lifter or a lobe wiped from the cam. I don't really know where to start. Any info would be appreciated.

The dry pushrod is a sure sign of a collapsed or very loose lifter. I would start by removing the valve covers and that particular rocker arm and then pull the intake manifold and inspect the pushrod and lifter.

Thanks! I already took a good look at the pushrod but not the lifter.

You'll probably have to pull the intake one way or the other so might as well get it over with. Then you'll be able to the lifter and cam and figure out what's wrong.

Im of no help on this one but good luck.

I am with flash. Good Luck.

hey man
 

I checked my lifters and cam they are ok. Any other thoughts? I pulled the head off and was just thinking of taking it to a machine shop.

You can take the head to a machine shop but no oil to one lifter is not a problem with the head. Since it's off you could have them check the valve guides and valves if you want.

You're not getting oil to or through one lifter. Set the lifter for the problem valve on a piece of glass or other perfectly flat surface. The lifter face should have a very slight crown to it, that's what makes it spin. You can also lay a new razor/cutter blade across the lifter. It there is no crown to it, it's shot. The crown is very slight but needs to be there. Also look for any hairline cracks in the barrel or burrs anywhere. They don't crack often but Ray (rbarnes) had one last year.

Sometimes just an oil change with filter will help a collapsed lifter. I didn't think of that before, sorry. The new oil and filter will usually raise the oil pressure and may clean out a blocked passage.

Did you run the engine with the valve cover off? All the push rods should be spinning, if not you have a problem lifter or cam.

Good luck.