4.0 OHV valve train question

[e-ranger]

I have a '90 Ranger with 134K miles. It's a 4.0L, auto, which had lots of valvetrain noise. I was not concerned with this until the head gaskets went out on it. It's apart now and I'm looking for other potential problems, however, there is minimal wear on the valve train.

There are two things I do need answered though.

1. The lifters have little cone shaped pieces on top of them by where the pushrods sit. Several of these have detatched from the lifters themselves. I have never seen these before and am a seasoned mechanic. WTF are they, and can I run the truck without them?

2. The pushrods appear to be solid (not hollow, no oil passages.) Is this normal? Can I replace them with a pushrod of the same length that has an oil passage? Does anyone know if one from another vehicle will work?

Thanks in advance.

Erik

 

[AllanD]

I have a '90 Ranger with 134K miles. It's a 4.0L, auto, which had lots of valvetrain noise. I was not concerned with this until the head gaskets went out on it. It's apart now and I'm looking for other potential problems, however, there is minimal wear on the valve train.


May I rephrase your statement to "No valvetrain wear that you can SEE?

There are two things I do need answered though.

1. The lifters have little cone shaped pieces on top of them by where the pushrods sit. Several of these have detatched from the lifters themselves. I have never seen these before and am a seasoned mechanic. WTF are they, and can I run the truck without them?

They are mainly guides to help get the pushrod into the lifter
during engine assembly.

2. The pushrods appear to be solid (not hollow, no oil passages.) Is this normal?

YES

Can I replace them with a pushrod of the same length that has an oil passage?

You could but there wouldn't be ANY point to doing so.

First if you are thinking lighter pushrods a 4.0 doesn't rev so it's a moot point.
Second there is no associated oil supply hole in the 4.0 lifter to pump oil up the pushrod.
Does anyone know if one from another vehicle will work?

Got me!


Thanks in advance.

Erik

where 4.0's wear tocause the typical 4.0 valvetrain clatter is
in the pushrod socket in the rocker arm.

The pushrod usually gets pretty galled up too.

 

[e-ranger]

There is no noticeable wear on the rockers. The push rods sit nice and snug in the valve train. There is a fair amount of wear on the rods on two cylinders. Are the push rods supposed to be solid?

 

[e-ranger]

Alright, re-read your post, question answered. Why, if the pushrods are supposed to be solid, are their oil holes in the rocker arms and holes in the top of the lifters? I don't care about performance, I want longevity.

Erik

 

[almostclueless]

IIRC, the OHC rockers have a hole aimed at the rocker shafts that allegedly will get oil and feed it to a hole in the cup.


From what I've read, the biggest problem was insufficient heat treatment on the pushrod cups.


If I had an OHC with high miles, I'd just go ahead and replace the rockers and pushrods with quality parts.


Hmm...2.8's didnt have this reputation....wonder what the diff is?

 

[nismotunedgtr]

IIRC, the OHC rockers have a hole aimed at the rocker shafts that allegedly will get oil and feed it to a hole in the cup.


From what I've read, the biggest problem was insufficient heat treatment on the pushrod cups.


If I had an OHC with high miles, I'd just go ahead and replace the rockers and pushrods with quality parts.


Hmm...2.8's didnt have this reputation....wonder what the diff is?

OHC with pushrods?

 

[almostclueless]

Oops......holy beer diluted acronyms LOL.

 

[AllanD]

The hole in the pushrod ed of the rocker arm is to let oil IN, not out.

AD