Hi guys, I know this is a often visited topic but I am becoming increasingly fed up with owning an immaculate high powered vehicle that sounds like a East German 2 cylinder diesel !
Like most I get the ticking on start up, this I appreciate due to the fact it's a big assed motor and it's never gonna be totally lubed up on start up. However as the motor warms up the noise increases and never...ever...goes away and of late has started to sound as if it is coming from 2 sources.
The motor and exhaust are stock unmodified and the oil is clean, the motor has a ton of pull and apart from a minor dead spot I can't fault it, but I hate the ticking. Having owned Fords all my life I am used to the noise of the injectors in later models and know it's not that.
Would appreciate any feedback from members who have overcome this problem....preferably without having to re-mortgage the house !

I suggest you stop driving it ASAP my pick would be your timing chain/ tensioners. They are very problematic in the BA's. Get it checked mate.

I'd hazard a guess and say it would be an exhaust leak, whether it be a blown out gasket between the head and the exhaust manifold, or even a cracked manifold. As hard as it is on these V8's, see if you can get underneath the car with a torch and have a look at all the welds of the exhaust for leaks. A telltale sign is black soot emanating from joins etc.

If it were the timing chains rattling, the sound usually disappears after a few seconds when the tensioners pump up after a cold start. But if it continues, as Tyler said, it would probably be best to drive it at a minimum until you can get it checked out.

wo look a WA thread.

its hard to say what it is without seeing/hearing it.

it could be either chains/tensioners or it also could be the cam phasors on the way.

if its chains / tensioners its a bit pricey to get somone to do but can be drivin in for a fair amount of time before anything goes bang.

if phasors on the way out obtaining the part is a a bit expensive but replacement is fairly easy and simple.

Phasers
VCT Solenoids
Tensioners

could be one or all.

mines been making all sorts of noises for 18months, gets driven every day.