Top end noise

[lancec2c30]

I put new head gaskets on my car because of a failure about a month back. Shortly after, I noticed a tap in the top end. I assumed it was a rocker or push rod problem.
But none of the rockers were slacked, and all the push-rods were straight.
So my next guess would be a faulty lifter, but don't they "collapse" and leave slop in the rocker?

So, in a nut-shell, what are the tips to a faulty lifter?

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

^^^^I would like to know the same thing.

 

[lancec2c30]

So no ones had a lifter go bad before?

 

[281pony]

try usin a stethoscope to listen where the noise is coming from.

 

[corey5988]

Header gaskets. Sounds just like topend noise. That was my problem. Had my valve covers off twice before checking them.

 

[Cobra912]

if it's tap tap tap tap I would say it's probably a lifter. stock ones? better get it replaced before you do anything else, because yeah it could lead to some serious problems.

 

[Rick 91GT]

They can become weak and still pump up, stock lifter failure is hard to diagnose, but if your sure the rockers, pushrod and adjustment is good and you still have a top end tap that goes up with rpm.....it most likely is the lifters. Stock Ford Racing replacements are under $130

 

[phutch11]

+1 on the header gasket leak. They can be surprisingly loud and surprisingly hard to locate.

If you've got a manual car, turn the car off while rolling down the road in gear. If the noise goes away, it's a header gasket leak - if not, you've got other problems.

Good luck....

 

[Cobra1741]

did you overheat the car when the head gasket went bad???