Ticky 289

[2.5]

My 289 is ticking. Where do I start? Pull the covers? Do the screwdriver on the rocker nuts trick and listen? Hopefully it is just a rocker arm or two.
It seems to be doing it mostly when warmed up at idle (from what I've noticed so far). Quiets out at rev up and returns at normal idle.
Need to do some valve stem seals soon, so I'll be pulling the intake soon and want to make sure it is not a lifter or something, so I don't have to do something twice.
Thanks all!

Oh, this is a '65 or '66 289. Can I adjust these rockers by tighting down until the ticking stops? I have only done later models that are positive stop. Adjust down and done. Man, I like those!

 

[2.5]

Hello? Anyone? Anyone?

 

[3spd on floor]

i'd start out by getting out a mechanics stethoscope and first see if you can isolate the ticking to one bank of cylinders. this might also give you an idea if its near the front or back of the engine. If after all that you're pretty sure its a valve tick, pull the suspected cover and check it out. No sense in tearing it apart only to find that you've got a header leak that sounds like a tick.