2.9 engine overhaul, info needed...

[Odd Dog]

First let me say great site, just found it.
I bought a 1990 ranger x-cab 4x4 with a 2.9, it had a small tick, so I figured I'd give her a quick tune up, and an oil change, she'd be good togo. When I pulled the drain plug nothing came out, the oil was that thick, never been changed in a long time, and I think theres a little anti freeze getting in as well, anyhow, after reserching here, and seeing how dirty the inside of my engine is, I'm thinking gummed up oil passages are an issue, today I tore down the top end, and timing cover off, so I have a couple of questions. How much play should there be in the cam bearings,(I suspect this is another problem) how do you gauge it? How much play should there be in the timing chain? I have a noise(rattle) at about 2200 rpm, its not the rocker arms, thought it might be lifters but and adjustment stopped the tick, but the internal rattle is still there, so I'm thinking timing chain, possible camshaft, haven't got it out yet I'll keep you posted and thanks in advance for the help.

 

[cckc135r]

If you are getting anti-freeze in the oil you may want to do a pressure check on the cooling system. Sounds like it could be a head gasket and possibly a cracked head for which these engines are known for doing from time to time. If that is the case more than likely that is what is causing you camshaft bearing clearances to be "fat" for lack of a better term.

The number 2 and 3 cam journals have oil passages that send pressurized oil up to the rocker assemblies, if the cam bearing clearances are too wide then oil will bleed off from the bearings and not go up to the rocker shafts.

As far as timing chain play....there really shouldn't be any because the chain has a pressure fed chain tensioner that takes up the slack on a worn chain. I know is sounds like I'm being "Debbie Downer" but it sounds like you may be looking a rebuild or another engine from a donor vehicle.

I know it's mostly bad news but I hope the information has at least helped you out some. Also, have a look at the tech page on the 2.9 engine as it has a lot of very helpful information there on these engines.

 

[IMenriched]

First let me say great site, just found it.
I bought a 1990 ranger x-cab 4x4 with a 2.9, it had a small tick, so I figured I'd give her a quick tune up, and an oil change, she'd be good togo. When I pulled the drain plug nothing came out, the oil was that thick, never been changed in a long time, and I think theres a little anti freeze getting in as well, anyhow, after reserching here, and seeing how dirty the inside of my engine is, I'm thinking gummed up oil passages are an issue, today I tore down the top end, and timing cover off, so I have a couple of questions. How much play should there be in the cam bearings,(I suspect this is another problem) how do you gauge it? How much play should there be in the timing chain? I have a noise(rattle) at about 2200 rpm, its not the rocker arms, thought it might be lifters but and adjustment stopped the tick, but the internal rattle is still there, so I'm thinking timing chain, possible camshaft, haven't got it out yet I'll keep you posted and thanks in advance for the help.

Welcome
please note the ,(if you haven't already), the Tech Library tab at the top of the page...there is wealth of information there.

as far as measuring it, the clearance between the cam bearing and cam journal...one would really have to remove the cam...measure the 3 journals...then get a bore gauge /indicator to measure the id (inside diameter) of the cam bearings. then subtract the bearing measurement from the cam journal measurement and that would be the clearance. Admittingly, to measure the cam bearings would take a pretty specialized instrument. I suppose the pasti-gage could do it too, maybe some specific to cams??

for a factory /standard cam.
the book gives a journal to bearing clearance of .001-.0026 of a inch and a service limit of .006 of a inch.

journal#1 1.7285-1.7293
journal#2 1.7135-1.7143
journal#3 1.6985-1.6992
journal#4 1.6835-1.6842

allowable lift lose of .005 with a .373 of lobe lift with zero lash for both intake and exhaust.

end play tolerance of .0008-.004....service limit of .009

If this thing has some miles on it and considering the condition of the oil, when you changed it ...and you already dug into it to the timing gears and chain.....well if funds are not too much of a issue....replace it....most timing gears and chain have set available that have the guide and tensioner in there Ta-boot.

book only lists a wear tolerance for the tensioner or .06

 

[Odd Dog]

thanks for the info, got the cam out, doesn't look bad, lifters arent dished, timimg chain will be chaged has a bit of slack in it, tensioner looks good, moves freely, not much wear, did notice copper showing on all the cam bearings so I'm thinking a bearing change is in order, yes-no?

 

[IMenriched]

thanks for the info, got the cam out, doesn't look bad, lifters arent dished, timimg chain will be chaged has a bit of slack in it, tensioner looks good, moves freely, not much wear, did notice copper showing on all the cam bearings so I'm thinking a bearing change is in order, yes-no?

absolutely yes....if you already got the cam out. even if the tensioner isn't showing a lot of wear....might as well go back together with new, meaning get the whole set, timing gear and chain with the tensioner and guide.

worn cam bearings will be the issue for lack of top side oil lubrication, which leads to noisy valves...the 2.9 isn't really know for the upper deck lubrication qualities to begin with...so any help with that is a plus. Just make sure that the cam bearing with oil passaeges are aligened correctly as not to block oil traveling to the valve train assembly.

and if you going to do all that...better check the rod and main bearings too

trust you're getting the heads checked for cracks and warpage with the now very involved work.

 

[Odd Dog]

the tensioner up here in alberta, is another$98 bucks, no one sells it in timing kit, at least the parts stores in my area, took the old one apart, it moves freely no gunk in it. Have you ever rigged up a cam bearing puller/installer? they want $350 at my local napa for one, only gonna use it once, I'll have to get creative,I have a couple of old slide style dent pullers I could modify any ideas?

 

[Lt.Underhill (usmc)]

I have a 2.9 with 27 miles on it that i would love to sale or trade you

 

[IMenriched]

the tensioner up here in alberta, is another$98 bucks, no one sells it in timing kit, at least the parts stores in my area, took the old one apart, it moves freely no gunk in it. Have you ever rigged up a cam bearing puller/installer? they want $350 at my local napa for one, only gonna use it once, I'll have to get creative,I have a couple of old slide style dent pullers I could modify any ideas?

sorry I had the machine shop do it while the block was in for over bore.

get a hold of a service manual...they should give some picture as to what it looks like to give some Ideas.....also check with your parts store, some offer to rent you the tool....yes it maybe a hefty sum up front but when you return the tool, you get you funds back...in effect, free tool use.

 

[Odd Dog]

I did a little research, and can't beg, borrow or steal a puller, but not a big deal, I'll pull out the motor and run the block into a shop that has one, I want it out to look at the bottom end anyway, gone this far,might as well carry on.
"A quick tune up", I belive is what I said when I started this....

 

[Odd Dog]

I have a 2.9 with 27 miles on it that i would love to sale or trade you

just out of curiosity, how much,who rebuilt it,& where you at?