2.5L ('98-'01) Off my rocker

[Sonkay ranger00]

I recently rebuilt the 2.5L in my wife's 2001 ranger. Upon initial startup it broke 3 rocker arms. After much time spent diagnosing why (and many more broken rockers), I have determined that the lash adjusters are pumping up too far and causing the valve springs to bind and then breaking the rocker! Why is this happening? Has anyone ever experienced this before? I have never built one of these 2.5L, or any ford overhead cam motor. I have done several successful builds of various types but this one really has me baffled! Anyone who can help me solve this will be greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[Sonkay ranger00]

Does anyone know what the installed spring pressure should be?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Free bump...

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ifn I had any good ideas for you I'd let you know... maybe try different lash adjusters? Last time I changed them they were cheap but things have been dumb the last few years... I've honestly never had that kind of issue, I've half hazardly slapped a few Lima's together over the years and it's all just worked...

 

[Josh B]

I'd keep checking back Sonkay, someone will eventually. hopefully sooner rather than later, at least give you some ideas on it. Good luck there

 

[Sonkay ranger00]

Thanks for replies, this was a almost complete rebuild, I did new lash adjusters and I feel it is related somehow to them over pumping. I got them from enginetech, I am a enginetech distributor, and have seen very few problems with their parts but it's definitely possible!!! I checked my installed height spring pressure and it was only 54lbs, that seems very low to me but my background is mostly small block Chevys with aftermarket cams seat pressure 3 to 4 times that. I ordered some new factory springs, they should arrive tomorrow. We will see then what difference there is in spring pressure and if I need to install the old lash adjusters or not. Thanks again, I really appreciate all input! We will get it right eventually and then we'll all know!

 

[Sonkay ranger00]

Good morning all. I got the new springs and the installed height spring pressure is 68 lbs, that's 14 lbs more than the old springs that were 54 lbs. I am hoping that will be enough of a increase that the lash adjusters will not over power the springs and over pump to the point of coil bind. Now here's my next question, during all this troubleshooting, I broke so many rocker arms that I depleted the inventory of the local salvage yard! Will 2.3L rockers work on a 2.5L? They are stronger but they are made for a larger valve stem so they will be a little sloppy side to side. Does anyone know if this will cause extra wear on the cam or the valve stem? I am building this motor/truck to donate to a local family farm that needs it and I really don't want to give them something that could give them trouble down the road! Thank you all for any and all help!

 

[scotts90ranger]

If the yard has any '95-97 2.3L's they're the same part as the 2.5L units, they reduced the valve stem size in '95 or '96... but I've also heard you can use the rockers for the bigger stems but have never tried myself...

 

[Sonkay ranger00]

Thanks for that, I was able today to find another set of the right rockers in a yard about an hour and a half from here, was a nice day for a ride at least! I hope to be able to reassemble everything soon and let everyone know how it turned out.

 

[Sonkay ranger00]

ok this problem discouraged me and has been on back burner for years now! Woke up this morning wondering if i could have a oil passage clogged or restricted by a improper gasket (or who knows what) that is causing too much oil pressure at the lash adjusters and hydraulically pushing them up in their bore causing the spring bind? does anyone have a diagram showing the oil passages and flow throughout engine? if so i would greatly appreciate it!

 

[superj]

can you adjust the lash after they are pumped up so you start when they are maxed out?

just asking because i have no idea how to do this on one of these engines. all my valve adjusting has to do with sliding a feeler gauge under and adjusting to a certain amount so as the parts expand, that amount is taken up. i have never had to adjust hydraulic lifters or anything that has to do with them.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Nothing in the valvetrain is adjustable on the Lima's (except really early ones I think), it's just lash adjusters (hydraulic self adjusting) supporting the opposite end of the cam from the valves with the roller follower between the valve stem and lash adjusters...

The oiling system is simple on the top end, there's a hole through the head gasket right above the oil pressure port, I don't think there's an orifice or anything, from there it goes into the head to feed the cam bearings and lash adjuster. I don't remember which cam bearing post feeds the cam to oil the rest...

 

[Sonkay ranger00]

You are correct, nothing is adjustable and geometry is exactly as you described. so i guess its possible that i didn't get the oil port in the cam bearing lined up with the port in the head and too much oil pressure at the lash adjusters and they are pushing up out of their bores causing the spring bind?

 

[scotts90ranger]

That sounds like a stretch, I know you're grasping at straws, I wish I had any good ideas