Valve clatter/Synthetic oil?

[dgfulton <dgfulton@vegas.infi.net>]

'86 4kcsq with intermittent noisy valves, especially at start-up. It has
run like that for quite some time and a mechanic told me it was normal
for Audi's due to the hydrolic lifters/adjusters-nothing to worry
about.  Lately it seems worse.  Sometimes it's really bad but it does go
away.    Heard that synthetic oil or the Valvoline synthetic blend may
help.  Any comments or suggestions?  Is this a serious problem?