I'm pretty sure it's the lifters .
thanks for the help!
Maybe I should just throw a cam and lifter set and new chain in it to freshen it up?
but then what kind do I buy.
It has a stock bottom end 71 340 block J heads milled 30 tho air gap intake 600 edebrock carb with msd distributor and 6al box. 391 gears with a 4 speed .I was looking for 3:55 or 3:23. 454 lift cam sound good?