Have you changed out your old oil? When a engine is rebuilt they put in a break in oil to be used from 500-1,000 miles max. Also you say you started the car a couple times all winter. How long did you let it run each time. If it is just going to be parked only for the winter it is best not to start it unless you are going to start it and drive it for awhile. What you describe is noisy lifters so hopefully changing the oil and adding a engine treatment.

HI, could be a octaine problem causing bad timming, or octaine knock.. try running some high test in a couple tank full and see if that stops it..might be bad fuel from sitting

good luck

tim

Hard acceleration and a resulting noise, rattle or ticking, would make me look at the spark plugs and wires, first. It could be a cross-fire that is exaggerated on the hard run OR it could be spark knock where the fuel is not burning correctly on acceleration. You can run a number higher on your plugs and that is a hotter burning plug. The distributor could be off just a hair and wouldn't be noticeable at low R's.

Mark the distributor and loosen it slightly. Start the car and slowly rev it to a higher R. If it rattles, tweak the distributor just a bit. See if it smooths out. If so, tighten the distributor down and then take it for a short run. Start slow and go faster slowly. I'd take my wrench along just in case it gives you trouble. If it does, reset the distributor back to the original mark that you moved it from, and see a mechanic with a timing light.It doesn't sound like a $$ repair in either case.

Your problem is pre-ignition caused by too low octane gas. If it were valve noise it would not be throttle dependent.

I picked up my car yesterday after having some minor work done to it. it had sat all winter long. it is a 1987 Firebird with a 1967 327 SBC. When driving the car normal I don't hear anything, if I use quick or hard acceleration I hear what sounds like lifters ticking, or a rattling sound. I When I let off the gas it goes way. This motor only has about 7,000 miles on it after the rebuild. Everything IN the Heads have been replaced last year. Unfortunately I was every very busy over the winter and only got to start the car and let run twice all winter long. The 2.02 camel hump heads have been rebuilt twice last year (don't ask)

Anyone have any suggestions on what could be causing the noise? I am hoping that the valves just need to be re-adjusted.