Some ticking could be a fuel injector. They tick, if one is getting loud it could be 'failing'. These rockers are not adjustable, BTW. They just bolt down and that's it. It's certainly possible to have a valvespring or rocker issue causing a tick though.

Good luck!

#5 lifter is collapsed. Ugh.

I'm so depressed.

Adam where are you from? Can you add some details to your profile and signature? It makes it easier for us to help you. Not the end of the world to replace a lifter, but you do need to pull the SC and LIM which is a bit of a bear. Should take a decent 3800 mechanic 5-6 hours to do it right.

While you are in there is a great time to install 1.9 rocker arms and upgrade the springs

I'm in Renton, WA (Seattle).

I'm just wondering if I can drive the car a few weeks before I repair it..

Most likely it would be okay, but with one lame cyl. Be gentle with it!

I'm not familiar with the clubs in the northwest, but there must be a Grand Prix club branch around you that could offer assistance if you can't find a reasonably priced local mechanic you can trust. Fortunately we use the same engine as the GTP and most everything they can do applies to our cars as well. I actively participate on a local pontiac board for that very reason.

Anybody know the northwest who can help out here?

I appreciate it. I'm just disappointed coming off a bad GM product (Northstar V8 in my Caddy).

Everything will be ok, just gotta get this taken care of.

Thanks for your input and help.

Trying to look on the positive side: what's a good set of cam and lifters since I have to go in anyway?

I don't want a rough idle - its my daily driver - but I figure if this was my old '62 Biscayne with 283 I'd probably have put an Isky or Edelbrock set in!

The engine doesn't burn oil at all so I think it is worth doing.

Also, any luck with any wive's tales? Such as Marvel Mystery Oil or (shudder) ATF fluid to "unstick" it? Might it be worth a try so I can drive it a few months until I have the free time to go without a car?

OEM lifters are fine. I like the VS cam. It's mild enough for a daily driver.

Agreed, stock lifters are good for most mod'd applications. I have dealt with several S1X cams from Intense and like them, the XP cam from ZZP has too rough an idle for my taste. Those are the only ones I have experience with.

I like Deek's idea to install 1.9:1 rockers + springs. Mine have been reliable for 80k+ miles with no change to idle.

Adam.. look up the Portland GP club from Oregon. I'm pretty sure they have a bunch up your way as well and it's a great group.

(hung out with them at a track)

I'd go rockers. They will have the heads off to swap the lifters, but there is a lot more that has to happen to shove a cam in there.

Make sure you get the new METAL lower intake manifold gaskets.

I'm just worried that maybe the cam got worn a bit with the lifter the way it is.

So, new cam, lifters and springs. Anyone have a link for the 1.9's and springs? And the cam?

Also, I really don't want to get burned by a mechanic when having this done. My last car, the STS, needed an engine rebuild and you wouldn't believe what I went through. As a disabled man, the guy knew I couldn't do anything once he had my car and it took him nearly a year to rebuild the engine... after it was done... the engine blew up a month later - and I went back to the shop and he had disappeared. Literally. No recourse.

The lifter has a roller on the cam, therefore it should ride the cam w/o the potential of hurting it. If anything the pushrod/rocker might have taken the brunt and usually doesn't get hurt.

Holler at those Portland folks.. I think the board was Portland Grand Prix Forum, but could get a URL if you'd like. I know the guy that started it up before moving to AZ.

If you wanted to do a cam. Stock or something that would put a smile on your face? With stock heads you would want to check the clearances because most aftermarket cams are close to max lift.

Stock you should be able to do rockers and I would suggest the 105# or Ls6 springs. If you are a 97, 105's only. LS6's are not supposed to fit properly.