Excessive tapping noise

[SiFi]

I have a 1977 Fiat Spider and when the engine warms up after a few minutes, there appears and noisy tapping noise. This sounds ominous.

The car still drives, accelerates and handles very well.

Any suggestions?

[Cozi]

Are your exhaust manifold bolts properly torqued in? As noted recently in a thread here, a loose exhaust manifold will create a metallic sounding tap that will mimic valve train noise.

[Zippy]

Couple of things come to mind. Did you check your oil? How is the oil pressure? Lack of oil can cause a tapping noise from the valves. If the bolts on the exhaust manifold are tight check to see if there is any leakage around the manifold. A blown manifold gasket can also cause the tapping noise. Be Careful Hot!

[MNspiderman]

Your valve train is mechanical, not hydrolic. so there will always be a vague tapping sound, but if there is one tap tap louder than the rest, you probably have to take off a cover and adjust the valve/tappet clearance.

[SiFi]

Apparently a broken cam wheel is the diagnosis from a mechanic I have left the car with. Stay tuned for updates

[rasouth]

Get ahold of a mechanic's stethescope and listen in the area of each valve along the side of the cam housing. If the noise is coming from the valves you will hear the noise quite loud. If it's the valves; adjust, if not keep listening around manifolds. Be careful around belts, pulleys and other moving parts!
Some oil treatment or thicker oil might help, too.

A broken cam wheel should be easy to replace; no mechanic needed.