Loud Engine with Ticking

[eightynine4x4]

1989 V6 2.9 4x4
Just getting started diving into this one.
Replaced the intermediary exhaust pipe, the muffler, and the long exhaust output line.
Replaced the MAP sensor. Took a few readings with the coder reader that pointed to some 02 sensor stuff but haven't gotten to that yet.
Haven't touched much else.
Idle starts off around 1400, has occasionally mild hiccups, then after a few minutes drops to 1k and stays.
There is a persistent ticking sound. I've been thinking/hoping it was the belts. I'm about to replace them tomorrow. But it is starting to sound more metallic than that.
Also the engine just seems loud. Like a diesel. I wanted to get the exhaust stuff out of the way to eliminate that from the equation.
Any thoughts? It sorta sounds like a lot of friction.
I wish there was a way to disable the fan easily to isolate that as well.
Here's a link to a vid from the right wheel well...
Loud Engine with Ticking

 

[Dirtman]

This must be your first 2.9...

2.9s have noisy valvetrains, its just what they do. You should only be concerned when it stops ticking...

 

[eightynine4x4]

This must be your first 2.9...

2.9s have noisy valvetrains, its just what they do. You should only be concerned when it stops ticking...

Haha yes first truck actually! Ive restored a couple diesel cars and a few motorcycles.
Ok, but what about all the reports of ticking and it being a sign of all sorts of bad stuff, from cracked heads to gunk in the system to rods permanently whacked, etc.
What ticking "sound" is that vs this one?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

So, it can be a lot of things.

Start with checking your rockers and setting the preload on them.

Depending on miles, may be a worn out cam. Modern oils without enough zddp kill Cologne cams. Fortunately, they're cheap.

Your rods are forged. Idgaf what you read on a forum somewhere, they're forged rods lol. You didn't break or mess one up unless you were crusing at 7k rpm.

Theyre a tough little motor with a lot of potential. Check valves, check egr plug for leaks, and check rocker lash and for gunk in the shafts. Report back.

 

[eightynine4x4]

So, it can be a lot of things.

Start with checking your rockers and setting the preload on them.

Depending on miles, may be a worn out cam. Modern oils without enough zddp kill Cologne cams. Fortunately, they're cheap.

Your rods are forged. Idgaf what you read on a forum somewhere, they're forged rods lol. You didn't break or mess one up unless you were crusing at 7k rpm.

Theyre a tough little motor with a lot of potential. Check valves, check egr plug for leaks, and check rocker lash and for gunk in the shafts. Report back.

Ok, thank you. I'll give some things a whirl once i've got my Haynes in hand later this week. Hopefully i can settle the clamor down a tad. I'll do an oil change as well. I'll maybe throw some Seafoam in just for fun cause why not.

I also want to point out that i've got quite a noxious smell coming from the truck. The kind that you feel in your lungs immediately and need to step away. Hardly any visible smoke from muffler at all though. Today i replaced all exhaust lines after the cats. I thought that was going to make an improvement since the old muffler was heinous smelling even when not running. But it didn't seem to help at all. Smells just as bad and smells from dozens of feet away. This sounds like bad news because I know how difficult it would be to replace the main header Y pipe.

But is there any way the engine itself is leaking fumes of this nature?

 

[Dirtman]

Does it smell like a fart after eating about 50 hard boiled eggs? Or does it smell like burning chemicals?

 

[eightynine4x4]

Does it smell like a fart after eating about 50 hard boiled eggs? Or does it smell like burning chemicals?

Nope no egg farts. Not a sulphur smell. Makes me think it's not the cats.
So i guess it's the chemical option.
The smell reminds me of sitting inside my old w123 mercedes when the down pipe coming from engine had a hole the size of a tennis ball and was getting into the cabin. Sooty. Combined with the physical feeling of soot getting into the lungs and staying for a couple days. Not good at all.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Nope no egg farts. Not a sulphur smell. Makes me think it's not the cats.
So i guess it's the chemical option.
The smell reminds me of sitting inside my old w123 mercedes when the down pipe coming from engine had a hole the size of a tennis ball and was getting into the cabin. Sooty. Combined with the physical feeling of soot getting into the lungs and staying for a couple days. Not good at all.

Blown out manifold donuts/flanges can cause every single one of the issues you describe right down to the ticking,

 

[eightynine4x4]

Blown out manifold donuts/flanges can cause every single one of the issues you describe right down to the ticking,

I'm having trouble finding any diagram showing donut flanges. Where is it located and what's involved? I fear having to undo the Y tube.
Anybody got a link to a good full engine diagram for the 2.9?

Here's a crazy idea... In my other thread i'm going through and checking for things that may be missing or incorrect from previous owner. https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/new-purchase-overall-status-anything-missing.189845/page-2
Half way down that page there's some pics of holes in the bottom left of engine. Is it possible that those are straight pumping exhaust out?

 

[8thTon]

Ive restored a couple diesel cars

Oh, then a 2.9 should sound very familiar!

Welcome to TRS!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Blown out manifold donuts/flanges can cause every single one of the issues you describe right down to the ticking,

He is correct. I had one. Caused all sorts of bad sh*t.

 

[eightynine4x4]

He is correct. I had one. Caused all sorts of bad sh*t.

That’s promising then!
Where is it and how did you repair it? Something for the shop? Engine gotta be lifted out for access?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

.........uhhhhh, bud, im a bad influence

My solution was headers.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Doesn't have to be, but if I'd do it again I'd take Ron's advice and have a muffler shop change the exhaust studs. He says fairly cheap. Then diy headers. Pacesetter apparently suck. Jba are perfect fit, but spendy now.

 

[eightynine4x4]

.........uhhhhh, bud, im a bad influence

My solution was headers.

Not sure I follow and wish I did!