2.9 Valve Train Noise

[90ranger2.9]

This is my fist time using the forum i just joined. I have a 90 ranger that has lifter or valve train noise. I have set the valve lash and still at least two valves or other components are making noise. I notice that on the road it performes ok but you can hear the valves flutter in the exhaust around 3 thousnd rpm. I rebuilt the motor about 2 years ago and it was making the same noise before and after i rebuilt the motor. Does anyone have an idea what could be causing the tapping noise?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

It's a common problem on the 2.9, the cam bearings wear and don't allow sufficient oil pressure to build to reach the valvetrain... You probably didn't replace cam bearings during your rebuild either... Technically since it's a hydraulic lifter system, lash isn't really adjustable (who knows why there are adjusters on the rockers)... Also, make sure you aren't using a Fram oil filter, they are known to cause low oil pressure problems on the 2.9...

I'm no expert so I'm sure I'm missing something... Someone else will chime in...

 

[90ranger2.9]

I know of the common lifter noise on 2.9s
Here is a list of the rebuild..
turned crank .10 under
replaced cam bearings rod and main bearing
honed cylinders and replaced piston rings
new freeze plugs
checked head surfice they were ok, did not have them pressure tested it was not wise i know but i was running short on money and time.
full gasket set
new lifters
new oil pump
new timing chain and gear set.
hopefully this will help

 

[RustedRanger]

Did you replace the cam too? If you used new lifters on an old cam it may have gone "flat" and now there is to much clearance in the valvetrain for the lifters to take up the space. I hope this isn't the problem.

 

[90ranger2.9]

No i didn't replace the cams as stupid as as it sounds i was really short on money by that point and it looked ok there were no abnormal lobes but i know that can only be truly checked with a dial indicator mic. I pulled the engine because i tried putting a oil pan gasket on with the engine in the truck and pinched it on the rear main it and it leaked on my driveway every time i parked the drive way has a steep incline. I should have done the smart thing once it was out to not pull a main cap and look at the bearings and just replaced the gasket and put it back in. That was the only issue i had with the engine oil pressure was not a problem. The main bearing i looked at had a groove in it and since i had it allread out of the truck one thing lead to another and thus i did what i listed above. The owner before me ethier let the valve noise go or had set the valve lash wrong. It had a head replaced in the past before i bought it and had this noise when i purchased the truck.

 

[RustedRanger]

Mine has valvetrain clatter at idle that goes away as soon as I rev it some. I don't know the history of the truck but it has 148,000 on it and I gave $500 for it and have put more than that in it. I can't afford and don't want to have to tear it down and rebuild it so I used some Lucas and good oil,it didn't quiet the noise any but I'll drive it as far as it will go