I have never used Auto Rx in a White engine, just old red blocks. If you follow the directions, you will not hurt the bearings. That only happens when people make up their own directions and drive the car with AutoRx in it.
Just change the filter, not the oil, which drains about 1 quart of old oil with the filter. Then add the quart of AutoRx and get the engine up to operating temps, then change the oil and filter. Done.
Back in the old days, with the American iron blocks, kerosene was sometime used to get the same gunk out of the low revving engines. Same good results, but they didn't have an oil breather system. I wouldn't try that in today's engines.

If you replace the tappets, bathe the new ones in clean oil before inserting them into their respective holes. And remember, they will require break-in time, so no high revving for a few hundred miles. If tappets are to be reused, they must be put back into the same position where they were taken out of.

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are 2 turbos :)

Hi Klaus,
Thanks for your response, you come to the aid of a lot of people on this forum.
I was thinking of trying a flush but I've always been led to believe that the stuff is somewhat of a snake-oil type remedy.
I've noticed from the archive regarding this kind of issue that folks have tried Auto-Rx but I'm just really really concerned with doing bearing damage although tI don't have any experience with the stuff to back up my fear.
Have you had good results with the various flushes?

I absolutely love this car but the ticking really is rather embarrassing to say the least.
I've got the volvo service manual section 2 for engines and it looks somewhat straight forward if I take my time and build some of the tools to help secure the cam to the upper cylinder head half.

Thanks for your input, it's really appreciated.
Klaus