[carlos_roque]

Hi, I have a 3.2 inline six from a 1962 nova. I have pinging/clanking noise at idle which I believe might be a lifter. My question is: do you need to remove the head to replace the lifters? The car had sit for years and only ran a few minutes a week. That's why I think it is a bad/gummed up lifter.

Thanks

 

[EdH]

Take off valve cover, remove rocker arms and pushrods. Take off the cam covers off the side of the block, lifters will sitting right there. That being said, there's a real good chance the camshaft lobes are half gone...

 

[Sheepdog]

If its running, you can pour 1/2 quart or so of ATF in the oil and run it for a few miles... might free it up. Then change the oil. The detergents in the ATF work great at cleaning the sludge and gunk.