86 Bronco II loss of power

[eflat1]

I have an 86 Bronco II 4wd 2.9 Eddie Bauer and it starts right up every time, hot or cold my problem is that I lose power going up-hill, I will be going 45-50 mph and then hit a hill and half way up it losses power and slows to about 30 mph and then a lifter starts knocking and gets pretty loud by the top of the hill but once the road levels off the power is back and within a couple of miles the lifter noise goes away.
I have had the fuel pressure checked, replaced the 02 sensor, fuel filter and catalytic converters, The diagnostic came back with an EGR code but the mech said that wouldn't cause my problem and I pass emissions with no problem. The engine doesn't backfire but sometime when it first starts up the idle will go from 900-1000 and drop to around 300 and then back to 900-1000, it will do this a few time and then it will be fine it only happens right after I start it up. Any ideas? I'm stumped...

[drofman]

compression test?

[tekatlarge]

compression test?

You said it drofman!

[eflat1]

I will try that on my next day off. thank you

[eflat1]

O.K I had the compression test done and the mech. said one cylinder was a little low (possibly the one with the lifter noise ?) but for the most part he said it was fine. I forgot to add in my post that the motor has 147,000 mi. Any other ideas?

[drofman]

auto tranny or manual?

[eflat1]

automatic

[drofman]

is it getting hot? maybe tranny slipping? tune-up? flat cam? timing with the spout disconnected. just some ideas