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What Jack (Henry Rifle) says is right on the money. Your 390 should not have adjustable rockers. They are shaft mounted. You'll have to pull the four bolts in the shaft, and take it off once you know which one is making the noise. You'll probably find that the pushrod or the rocker is worn where they meet. Not uncommon on an older, higher mileage FE. Just replace which everone is worn and put it back together and no more noise. P.S. it is also possible that you bent the pushrod while burying the speedometer. Then you just replace it.
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Hey, 66 Thunderbirds never had anything but FE's. Anyway the noicy lifter could be just a piece of carbon that got stuck in the oil passage of the lifter.. If the motor hasn't ever been rebuilt, It'll have alot of build up inside and during the higher rpm and hotter running, it's possible for a piece to be dislodged. Change the oil and filter, Add Lucas oil Additive. Subbing the Lucas for 1 qt. of oil. Drive it. See if it clears up.
Also if the noise comes and goes, it's possible it might be in the rockers.. Ford Fe rockers ar held in alignment with just a spring, and they do move around some. If the tip of the rocker that sets on the valve is worn and not smooth. It to can cause the noise.
It's possible that the ball on the end of the pushrod came off, but I'd think it would be louder than a tic! Even possibly a knock, or a miss in the engine.
Good Luck, Ray
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Valve noise in a FE always makes me nervous, since they are bad for dropping valves. Don't run one with valve noise, the extra stress will cause the head of the valve to break off. Your noise could be a broken spring. If so you don't have to tear it down, use air pressure to hold the valve shut and buy a spring compressor.
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In regards to the valve tap, FE's valves are known to float at high rpms, thus COULD be the valve tapping. If you consistently run the high range, you may want to look at some Erson rocker roller setup or similar. The stock rocker setup is good till about 6000, after that you are rolling the dice anyway. Just my opinion.
