Why did the car die going down the road ? the lifters sounded like they were knocking right before it died

Sounds like you got some bad gas. May need to replace the fuel filter

How loud is the knock?

Typically, a quite ticking sound is associated with a sticky lifter and a louder knock is associated with a piston rod going bad.

In the case of a lifter ticking, it typically indicates wear or a sticky lifter which can be addressed with the proper oil additive.

You can isolate the noise to it's actual location with a mechanics stethoscope. Sometimes, just holding a stick up to the engine and placing your ear next to it will help you isolate it as well.

Regardless of whether you have a sticky lifter or a worn piston rod, the only way to address the issue is to tear down the engine and replace the worn part or parts.

If you're going to tear the engine down, then you may as well do a complete overhaul while your at it. The end result will be a more responsive, cleaner running engine.

Could be the pump. Do you have the pressure at the fuel rail? If you have pressure and spark, then the noise you heard was probably lifter tap. No oil or over heated.

you need to check your fuel pump pressure sounds like it losing presuure

May have blown the intake manifold and it could be leaking into the head. They were a bad design and have been changed to fix this issue.

No engine light on? Sounds to me like the bumpy road may be knocking something loose. It would help to know if you have fuel pressure when the problem arises.

If I am understanding this right it is totally dying while you are driving. I am going to assume that it turns over at this point but does not sound aas if it is getting gas. If this is the case you have one of two or both problems. The fuel pump or the fuel relay. I would start with the fuel relay.

i have a 2000 nissan frontier that dies going down road,it has knock sensor,camshaft sensor&primary ignition circuit failure.had a new distributor.thanks for any help

hows the oil preasure. sounds like you have a bad lifter or lack of oil try adding some lucas oil stabilizer to the oil

sounds like your lifter are damaged if your rocker are loose you may need to replace cam and lifters