Lifter replacement

Recently I've had some tapping occuring, it was coming and going for a while, but now it seems to be constant, and getting louder. I suspected either a valve or lifter. A competent mechanic took a listen and he seems to think it's a bad lifter.

I was planning on switching the cam anyway, but since funds are an issue at the moment, I'm just going to replace the lifters. Any advice as to how this is done would be helpful. (I have rebuilt a couple engines before, but never a Ford).

72 GTS Q code, 351c 4v, 4 speed

Thanks folks!

That's good advice, and i will check. Fortunately, replacing all the lifters is fairly inexpensive, although not the easiest job.

My biggest concern is adjusting rocker/valve stem clearances once the lifters are in place. I have an old 73 manual (car is a 72) that seems to go into good detail, but I'm still dubious.

On a chevy 400, we tightened the rocker nut while spinning the pushrod, and when we could no longer spin the pushrod with fingers, we called it done. Anyone else try this trick before?

Anyway, any advice is much appreciated. 

Ok, new problem.

All the new lifters are in. Everything is back exactly as it was (you would think). There really wasn't much to remove. No bent pushrods. I soaked the lifters in oil, and put engine lube on them and in the bores. I torqued the rocker nuts, torqued the intake, hooked the carb up just like it was.

Now the car won't go. Seems to run smooth till about 1500 rpm, then it's just all hesitation. It just doesn't want to go above 1500 rpm.

What did I do?   HELP!          I know, I know, amateur.........

Nope, not missing. All wires are good. I only removed the distributor cap, left all the wires plugged in. It starts right up.

I gave it about 15 minutes at 2000 rpm to break it in. In neutral it doesn't seem too bad, but does hesitate above 2000. But as soon as it's in gear, it gives out, nearly stalls, almost like it's being starved of gas. It's not too bad in first gear, but second it really cuts out. Never get a chance to get to third.

I'll check the rockers again, but I was careful to torque all twice.

  Your fuel sending unit in the tank has a strainer or little filter on the end of it,after a while the will deteriorate and collapse shutting the fuel flow. I had to replace mine last year. Also it is available from Ford still. You can still get the metal float as well.