2.3L ('83-'97) 1991 2.3L top end / valve / tappet noise

[radioham63]

47,500 miles on original engine , fresh oil change Valvoline Maxlife 5w30
… top end of engine has started to sound like a threshing machine or old sewing machine running wide open
… added pint of MMO and pint of sea foam with no change
… does anyone have any ideas ? Is it the dreaded oil sump problem that seems to plague these engines , where the top end just doesn’t get lubrication ?
… I have a video of I can figure out how to post it
… thanks and have an awesome day

 

[franklin2]

Why are you running such thin oil in it? I would think originally it called for a thicker oil unless you live in Alaska or somewhere like that.

 

[oldgeek]

Why are you running such thin oil in it? I would think originally it called for a thicker oil unless you live in Alaska or somewhere like that.

5w-30 is what my 94 2.3l calls for. Some sources will say 5w-20. Not sure why.

 

[radioham63]

… all literature I can find and decal under hood state 5w—30
Can a person post a video or video link on the forum ?
I’d really like to get this one figured out … truck sounds like an old IBM Selectric typewriter …

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Post the vid on YouTube and then put in the URL in here

 

[radioham63]

https://youtube.com/shorts/h-pkgmSujy0?feature=share

 

[XLTsplash]

The oil pick up screen in my 1992 2.3L with 70% clogged with failed oil pan gasket material. It's a common problem, It even happened to my Dad's 1989 Ranger 2.3L.