compression and other questions

[doainwpg]

decided to do a compression check on my car tonight, it's got the ka24E and was wondering the compression should be, i got cyl1: 145, cyl2:160, cyl3:170, cyl4:140. if it makes any difference there's only 2500kms/1500miles on the engine since rebuild.

other question is now my car has a horribly loud ticking sound comming from the top end, the mechanic tried to tell me this is common for nissans and that the only way to fix it would be to buy new lifters and that isn't a garunteed fix. when i rebuilt i wound up buying a complete used head because mine was cracked, valve bent etc. i basically want to know if this is true that the noise is common as i've never heard another 240 sound anything near as loud as this. i can hear it over my stereo with the windows up at idle. so now i want to know if this guy's trying to bull **** me or am i going to have to lay out for new lifters to fix this. i can't stand the noise anymore (my old chevette with bad bearings was quieter than this):confused:

[deviousKA]

that compression is low. if it had a recent rebuild all 4 should at least have 170psi. the mechanic cant really do much about your lifters. yes they are expensive and yes you need them. best bet is to scour the wrecking yards and look for low mileage ka to pull them off. still you cant be guaranteed they will be good. yours are probably not all bad, take them off and inspect. they should push up almost like there is a spring inside (there is no spring inside btw) ones that are solid will need replacing