arternative

one more thing: i've got a chromed manifold. might this be the culprit?

Hey Russ thanks for your reply! - if it's one or more cylinders i (and so far nobody else) couldn't tell - don't think i ever over revved the engine (where would it start in your opinion?) - push rod(s) i will check out - oil fine - cape roads? nasty for sure. but i so far stick to the newly tarred bits in & around town - kleinmond? yes, awesome. lived in hermanus for a while, think i drove this bit a 125424759495742997 times ;-)

Hi all, I'm driving a Lotus Super 7, 1600 Ford Kent engine, 4-speed gb. It's all fun, but as soon as i put some strain on the engine (temp 70-90 degrees celsius, max 4000 rpm in 3rd gear) the tappets (i think?) become loud. way too loud since of today. the tik-tik-tik seems rpm and temp dependent, but it gets louder and takes more cooling down time to disappear every time i drive it. any idea what's wrong? thanks!