2.6 engine?

I have had the same issue, but it came from poor workmanship from my machine shop. On the second head, the head was not vatted, and there were oil deposits left in the bolt holes for the rocker arm towers. When the oil reached a high temp, bolts started backing out, causing a slight tapping, which I thought I had a lifter going out on me. I kept driving, changed oil (didn't use any additives) and the slight tapping stayed, and got worse...so I removed the valve cover to find a rocker arm tower bolt that had worked it's way out of the threads. If you have this issue, make sure that the threads are not on the bolt, because you may have to use a helicoil to repair it...

If you need an additive such as transmission fluid, you need to replace a lifter, or the cam if you have pits and/or wear on the cam lobe where the noise is coming from. Check, check and double check....take your time, take a look at the cam at night with a strong light (while rotating engine) to make sure you have no camshaft wear. If you need a lifter, locate which one it is (like Steve said) and let me know, I have a box full....

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'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...