[MrPbody]

An engine with old oil in it will sludge-up quickly. Change the oil every 6 months, even if you haven't driven it much.

Your noise could be an oil pressure issue. Put a mechanical guage on it to verify what the pressure actually is. Oil "return" in sludgy engines is a real problem. Pressure should be over 20 lbs. at a hot idle, in gear. It should also get to at least 45 before 2,000 RPM.

A bad lifter, bad valve guide, spring or rocker/pushrod are some of the things that will make noise. Connecting rod bearings in stock Pontiacs will make more of a "tick" than a "knock" when they're wearing out, too.

Change the oil, check the pressure, and get back to us.

Jim