2.9 tick

[ford_2.8]

it is confusing me some times the old s.o.b will tick and some times it wont why?i know is caused by oil pressure but why does it only do it sometimes?

 

[MAKG]

Oil pressure isn't constant. It goes up with RPM and down (a lot) with oil temperature.

It's also possible you aren't listening to 2.9L lifter tick. A lot of people will assume that every noise is the lifters. Any reciprocating part of the engine can tick, including solenoids (such as fuel injectors), pistons, loose rocker arms (2.9Ls are adjustible), and so on. Even an exhaust leak right at a head port can sound surprisingly similar to a tick (then, it will depend on throttle position, temperature, load, and a bunch of other things).

 

[ford_2.8]

thanks ill try to adjust the lifters but it does it weather its at rev or idle but then it dont so idk ill try adjustin them cause i didnt know fords were adjustable.

 

[SuperRob]

2.9L engines dont have adjustable lifters.

 

[MAKG]

2.9L engines dont have adjustable lifters.

Oh yes they do. It's the 4.0Ls (and I think 2.8Ls) that don't.

There is a nut on the end of each rocker you can turn. It's not on a stud like on SBCs, so you can't do it with the engine running. Ford says two turns past zero lash, but quite a few folks try less than that.

 

[SuperRob]

Sorry, My misunderstanding of what he was talking about...or of terminology. I would have called them adjustable rocker arms but like I said....my misunderstanding. I do know that they have Hydraulic lifters though right....thats why they tick. because the lifter more or less collapses due to air in it?

 

[MAKG]

Yes, I believe that's the lore. If that's really what's causing it, adjustment won't help.

Though 2.9Ls do also develop low oil pressure due to weird oil distribution design (cam bearing wear). It's also in principle possible for the adjusting nut to back off.

Don't overtighten that nut. A little tap is FAR better than a burnt valve.

 

[almostclueless]

I don't believe all 2.9's (if any) had adjustable rockers...

 

[ford_2.8]

will it hert to run it with the lifters tapping or does it need a oil pump

 

[ford_2.8]

your right on the almostclueless because ford dealer even says they are

 

[MAKG]

will it hert to run it with the lifters tapping or does it need a oil pump

An oil pump will not fix the problem. If you have low oil pressure, you will only fix it by rebuilding the bottom end.

Pumps make volume, not pressure. You get low pressure because the clearances have widened and the oil has too-easy a time getting through them.

A little bit of tapping is probably irrelevant except for the sound. Very loose rockers might damage the valves by pounding the stems excessively, and the valves won't open all the way. But the rockers are on shafts -- not ball pivots like Chevies -- so you don't have the SBC risk of missing the valve stem with the rocker (this is serious -- it can pop out the keepers and drop the valve into the cylinder -- and I've seen SBC cylinders with three valve guides in them....).

Valve clatter at high RPM is very serious. A little tap at idle isn't. The engine can last for many years that way.

 

[ford_2.8]

well i put a oil gauge on it it runs at warm idle about 10 and goin down the road about 45 is that ok or does it need a oil pump?

 

[MAKG]

I'll say it again. An oil pump will not fix your problem.

Without knowing what RPM "goin down the road" is, we can't possibly have any idea if it is OK. The spec is 40-60 PSI fully warmed at 2000 RPM.

 

[ford_2.8]

i didnt even think about the rpm. it holds 40psi at 2000 rpm but at idle about 700 rpm it holds very low like 10 psi

 

[MAKG]

If it holds 40 PSI at 2000 RPM, it's in spec.

It is absolutely normal for the pressure to go down at lower RPM.