350 has alot ticking noise when cold.

My skylark runs fine after it warms up. But it has alot of ticking are runs kind of rough when its cold, could this be a bad oil pump?

 

What oil filter and oil are you using?. How cold is it where you live right now?? Snow? Bellow freezing?

 

Thanks, Yes I use napa premium filters and its about 50 to 60 here in ca. I dont have a oil press gauge.

 

Oh yes and 10-30 high milage castrol oil

 

That's weird, usually the ticking starts when it warms up and the oil thins, and clearances open up.
First thing to do is install a good (Autometer) oil pressure gauge.
How soon does the ticking stop?
Does it happen for only a few seconds?
How is it hot? Any noise?

 

Yes, seems backwards. Do you have a oil pressure gauge? Get one. Are you adding zzdp additive?
Running rough cold is a different issue. Could be spark or fuel related. Is your engine stock or is anything been changed, What year Car and engine/ carb.

 

1968 and it us stock. Havent tried the additive. The ticking is when its cold only as it warms up it goes away.

 

Bad exhaust gaskets? (ticking that goes away). Choke not working? (rough until warm).
Patrick

 

Possibly not enough preload on the lifters? Mine ticks when started up cold and quiets down within less than a minute here in Florida temps.

 

Exhaust back pressure valve on left exhaust manifold or timing chain slap. That’s my thoughts.

 

If you are looking for or want to eliminate exhaust leaks from the equation, they are easy to find with a shop vac (from outlet side) or air-compressor and soapy water.

(is you use a vac) CLEAN THE CANISTER AND THE HOSE FIRST!!!

Put hose in tail pipe, tape the other tailpipe closed.

Turn on the air source, then spray some dish-soap in water on the manifolds and look for bubbles.

Takes more time to roll out, prep and roll up than it does to find the leak.

 

I had a car once with ticking lifters when cold. Wrong oil filter without anti-drainback valve. Put on a Wix filter and solved problem. Do you have an oil leak around the front cover or pump? Could also be an air leak and losing prime.

 

Thank you all for the tips I'll try the exhaust leak tip and I'll buy a good oil press gauge

 

Pickup tube where it bolts to the block can leak air also.

 

As pbr400 said, could very well be a leaking or cracked exhaust manifold.

 

The anti-drainback is an interesting concept. I also have this problem, however I believe it is due to light preload on my lifters in order to avoid stressing the roller rockers. You said your engine is original. How many miles? How recently did this start? Could be slop in the oil pump due to wear over time. Your oil pressure on start up should be quite high, at least 40psi. Usually falls once warmed up

 

Thanks I ordered press gauge. The engine runs smooth when warm and no noise Im going to check the exhaust maifold gaskets as well. Not sure of the miles sure its over 140k.

 

It could be drain back of the oil, though you mention you're using a quality filter
For a cold start, I tend to turn over the car before I pump the pedal for 5-6 seconds.
This does a couple things.....gets the oil pump moving and primes the system. And puts some fuel in the carb as the fuel pump spins..
Then two pumps, and vroom.... a two pump well oiled machine.

 

Thank yous