Hey i got a 70 318 dodge dart with 67000. Stock except for exhaust and electronic ignition. I recently put new head gaskets in it and had a valve job done. When I put everything back together and started it I got this horrible ticking sound that followed the revs of the motor (sounded like a diesel). Since the lifters were still the original lifters that were sold with the car I suspected them. So I got a new set and fished out the old ones and replaced them. The old lifters looked good, no dishing or scrapes on the bottom, but 9 of them were stuck. I started the motor with the new lifters and the ticking is still there, not as horrible as before, but still there. I am able to drive it now with less embarrassment. Anyone got any ideas?

 

Dart -

You said the exhaust wasn't original - are you sure you're not hearing an exhaust leak?

Archer

 

That's possible I thought about that. Every time I put a hose up my ear and probe around the sound gets louder around the where the tail pipe and manifold bolt together. When I took off the exhaust manifold there were no gaskets present in that location so I bolted them back together with no gasket. Should there be a gasket there? the engine rebuild gasket kit came with manifold gaskets but no gaskets for connecting the tail pipe.

 

Yes there is supposed to be an exhaust manifold gasket. Without that you'll get a nice sound similar to a rod knock

 

Did you mark the push rods and put them back where they were when you re-assembled it? Also the rocker shafts, are they on the same head as original?
What brand of oil are you using? Every 318 I've had would tick if I used Valvolene, I used Castrol or Penzoil.

 

i use valvoline i never had issues,

 

Hey thanks for all the input. I just found a small exhaust between the exhaust manifold and head. Everything is torqued to spec but still got the leak. I tried two different exhaust manifold gaskets and still got it. So now I'm thinking that the exhaust manifold is to blame. I had a valve job done and the machine shop cleaned up the surfaces on the head for me. Is it possible that the original manifold has become warped and is now not sealing correctly onto the head? Or what can I do about this, I know a simple solution is headers but not ready to spend the money yet.