I don't think the tapping valve lifter would have any bearing (ha ha) on
throwing  a rod.  My '86 2.1 AT with 174k miles had a lot of tapping when I
first got it.  It hadn't been run much at all for the previous 2
years.  After some period of regular running it, it stopped tapping.  It
still will tap sometimes if I let it sit for a week or two.  It will tap
for the first 15 minutes of running, sometimes more.  Mine was allegedly
rebuilt by a PO at around 100 k miles.  I would not worry about the tapping
as far as taking a long trip.  I would get an oil pressure gauge though.  I
think that is a better monitor of engine condition in the area of rods
flying loose.

Edward

At 10/19/02 09:42 PM, you wrote:
>I am getting ready to move from west coast to east coast with my 2.1 auto
>~120K miles. Had the leaking head gaskets replaced in 2000 (10kmiles ago) I
>have a taping lifter and think it is time to adjust the valves. It used to go
>away once it warmed up but not any more. Have used MMO with no improvment.
>My conern is driving long dx and throwing a rod since it has been taping for
>about 6 months now. What does the list think?
>dan
>86 gl