sun bird

My daughter has a sunbird 2.2. She changed the oil, for a lifter was making a noise. The oil was real bad. After she changed it it was worst. The lifters just singed. What do you think is wrong, engine about to go. It has 126,000 miles. After all it is a 2.2. What should she have checked on the motor. The noise is from the lifters. Thanks for any help

If it hasn't had the oil changed on a regular basis, it's probably sludged up and not getting flow to the lifters. Need to have the oil pressure checked with a manual gauge.