I put my boat in the water today and turned the key and the batterey was dead, I jumped it off of my other batterey and when the engine started it made a distinct repeting ticking noise.
After the engine warmed up the ticking slowed to a stop.
The engine seemed to be running fine otherwise.
Anyone have any idea what this may be

Hydraulic lifter bled down? Maybe a piece of stuff stuck in it or something?

Sounds like a lifter had been sitting on the lobe of the cam and had leaked down. It then took a second or two before it pumped up with oil, hence the ticking sound from excess clearance in the valvetrain. Could have been a piece of dirt stuck in the orifice temporarily. Not too uncommon. Was the engine sitting for a while before it was started?

A lifter was having trouble pumping up with oil. It might of been dirt, low oil or signs of a future problem. We should be at Kelly's this weekend

Thats pretty funny all three of us typed the same thing (more or less) at the same time.

I dont think the lifters are hydraulic, They are 1986 Merceuiser 300 Tempest's and as far as I know they are stock, Do theese motors come with stock hydraulic lifters

yup

Thanks Tom, Ime still learning about theese engines, thats what I love about this board you can get straight answers from people who know what the hell they are talking about
I will probably see you this weekend @ the casino.

Ill be there fri noon i think. I want to hit west side this weekend too. Im hoping to have somebody bring wheels over.