November 14 UPDATE Have it all back together with new cam, lifter, timing gear & chain, etc. Starts and runs for about 5-10 seconds then dies. Can tell by clear fuel filter, not getting enough gas to carb. There is a vacuum line from the tank selector switch (a real Rube Goldberg set up). Will...

Roger that CBaker65, decided to go with a new cam, matched lifters. Got a Comp Cam, RV type-more torque lower RPM. Also Timing Chain was very loose, 1" play. Cam sprocket was Aluminum (!) with plastic (!!) teeth, so got new one from Comp as well.Lots of chatter on "degreeing a cam" (bad...

After pulling the left side valve cover (a real job removing all the vacuum lines and plumbing) found a collapsed valve lifter on the last lifter. Due to the heater box, could not use my lifter removal tool. Took the intake manifold off, there was no valley pan, gaskets only. Does this mean...

It was dry test, tend towards your suggestion of sticky valve/lifter. Will pull valve cover this weekend and see. Anxious to get it resolved before the snow flies. Thanks, Frank

Put a clear fuel filter in by the carb, can see the gas flow, appears adequate. Seems like there should be other filter(s) on the frame rail but I didn't notice. Thanks all for input. Not too worried about compression since spec is that all should be 75% of the others, seem like a pretty wide...

Here's the run down on what I've done since buying this truck at the end of Sept. Being an old Motor Head am sure this will be fixed but need some pointers if anyone has been through this before.1986 Ford F 250, 460 CI V-8, 46K miles (original), non catylitic converter, Duraspark II...