1990 4runner 3.0 changed the timing belt ran like dump took it back apart and put it back together it ran fine idles pefect and drives fine but sounds like the lifter (front drive side) is knocking???????????????? if it is can you change lifters while leaving the head on????????????

 

Lifters can be adjusted with the heads on. Did you have this knocking before doing the timing belt?

 

no noise coming from the engine at all. but i pulled the valve cover and turned the engine over and its coming from the lifter i think. norfolk? chesapeake here

 

Yeah Norfolk. The 3.0 uses shims to adjust the lifters. You can easily check the clearances with a feeler gauge to see which one it is.

 

yeah ill try that but im trying to decide to go any further or sale it and get a pick up with a 22re in it

 

I'd attempt to at least find the bad lifter shim. If it turns out all the shims are good and it's a more serious problem (rod knock) and you don't want to rebuild, then start looking for your pickup.
Lifter noise is more like a metal on metal taptaptaptap. not a knock, so you might have a more serious problem. Just guessing though

 

dont think its a rod it sounds like its right at the top of the head and it only makes the noise when the lobe on the cam hits the lifter