302 has ticking noise could it be stuck lifter?

I think you're thinking of a rod knock here, but the key word is "knock"

 

Could also be an exhaust leak.

 

I took a spark plug wire off one at a time yesterday and the noise never changed .so does this rule out anything? the oil pressure still sits around 42 cold and dropped down to around 18 when it warmed but thanks guys for all ur help,i guess I could try the fuel pump but I really doubt that's the problem.

 

You need to check for this.

 

thanks Craig but its not a exhaust leak

 

do you know if it's a solid or hydraulic cam?

 

yes sir Hairy its a flat-tappet made by blue racer straight pattern cam 292 -228 @50 512 lift.
I ran a across a good used 68 289 that's has been rebuilt with just a few miles on it complete with a holley contender intake ,accel distributor and 600 holley for 400.00 bucks it was in a 68 galaxy ,I plan to pull my 302 out throw this 289 in and put the 302 on a stand and check it out and see if I can find the problem

 

ok hydraulic or solid? solids are noisy

 

Hairy its a hydraulic flat-tappet yes I know solids are noisy but the noise isn't my only concern the oil pressure is another thanks for yalls help

 

i wonder if one of the plungers is stuck then, making it sound like a solid. it can happen

 

what you can do is hook up a temporary external gauge and compare it that way you know for sure because i know you said you weren't sure of the old gauge.

 

sounds like one lifter not pumping up...change the oil to a 5 w 20.

 

Frank !why the 5w20 oil?HAiry you aren't the 1st to tell me to try a external oil gauge so I think ill take yalls advice befor ei remove the engine thanks

 

If it has a lifter not pumping up(from your previous posts, doubtful) the 5W-20 oil will just cut oil pressure... If you believe in miracles in a can, dump some Marvel Mystery Oil in it, that'll cut viscosity till it's similar to a 5W-20 and maybe loosen lifter if it's actually sticking...

 

Krazy comet if I do put some marvel mystery oil in how long before a stuck lift would unstick