This isn't pertaining to my car but a friends. I know that if a lifter is in need of replacement that your suppose to replace all and the cam, but what if all you want to do is get rid of a noisey lifter? Are rebuild kits available? What is the main reason that a lifter starts making noise? Is it varnish that builds up on the inside and causes it to stick? Would dissasembling the specific lifter and cleaning it out, more than likely solve the noise problem??

If after carefully inspecting the other parts of the valvetrain
for wear everything apears to be ok and the roller cam isn't worn,
then yes the one noisy hydraulic roller lifter can be taken apart and may be "reconditioned". Most auto machine shops can help you with this. Usually on an exchange basis or you could just buy one reconditioned hydraulic roller lifter if yours is not repairable.

It's not a roller lifter. Like I mentioned it's not out of a Camaro. It's my buddies car I'm dealing with here. I just want to fix the noise and be able to keep the origianal lifter since it's already worn to that specific cam lobe. I'm just currious before I go tearing into it that the problem is more than likely sludge or varnish buildup that can be cleaned out of it. Or if the problem is with the spring that a new one can be purchased. I don't want to replace it with a new one that isn't matched. The car runs fine just an annoying sound. Oh also I forgot to metion before, that it makes the ticking sound only when the engine is cold, once it warms up it goes away, maybe this will help you guys realize what sort of problem I'm dealing with here.

If it's adjustable, try that first. If not, or if it still makes the same noise after adjustment, then the most common reason is dirt. The lifter can be taken apart, cleaned, oiled, and reinstalled.

An engine flush will help sometimes, typically won't do the trick.

They are very easily disassembled and cleaned. usually there is sludge in the lower check valve ball/seat area, and once cleaned away the lifter shoudl again hold oil and maintain its correct dimension.

Vader, were you wearing a mask & gown when you took that picture???

Ohh Noo.. Lifter surgery

You can run new lifters on a used flat cam, just re-moly them and follow break-in procedures again. If you know exactly what lifter is making the noise, score a lifter out of a junker and dissassemble/clean it as Vader stated. but before you do, lay a piece of plate glass (must be perfectly flat) on a table and stick a 100 grit d/a pad on it. Run 4 figure 8 patterns then rotate the lifter 1/4 turn and repeat a few times. This will restore the convex surface...just don't go too crazy with it.

This also works great if you're changing a cam and don't feel like buying a new set of Rhodes or other expensive lifters that you know there's nothing wrong with...

I prefer to call it a "cap and gown"...