This is the latest on my lifter noise.

1. Noise seems to start when not driven.
2. Added a quart of Rislone to dirty oil and no impact on the noise.
3. Put in new oil and Rislone - drove highway speeds and the noise was gone - completely.
4. Drove it on highway and then around town and the noise came back but not as bad.
5. Changed oil to Mobile 1 and drove on the highway and noise gone.

Question: Anyone live with this situation or should I dive in and see what is going on?

 

I've had the same situation. The Risolone seemed to help a bit, and I've only used Mobil1 15/50w, but I too am wondering what can be done so those lifters will shut up? Its quite a bit quieter with the Risolone added though, but still pretty noticeable

 

Jerry and Barry,

I bought my '88 4 years ago with 84K miles and quiet.
Next morning, lifter noise. DR said "change oil".
Magic, now quiet, WOW, Sucess. NOT.
Next 20K, intermittent lifter noise. I believe that if the engine stops with the bad lifter valve open, it leaks down and takes a while to fill back up because of the leak. If the engine stops with the valve closed, then it is quiet on start up.
Finally identified 4 noisy lifters with stethiscope and replaced lifters. Now quiet. When I pulled the bad lifters out they felt spongy, and good lifters felt hard. I believe that all of the additives in the world will not fix bad lifters. American manufacturers figured out how to make reliable lifters in the 1950s. Porsche is still trying.