how to install valve lifters on 2.9l without tearing the whole thing apart

[19Walt93]

how do i install brand new valve lifters on a 2.9 v6 without tearing the whole thing apart. she’s ticking like all hell. i saw a video where a guy removed the valve cover, then rocker arms, then pushrods and used a grabber type tool to pull the lifters out? is this possible on the 2.9 or could i use a strong magnet grabber? any tips and all information is appreciated

Before doing all that work, why not try adjusting the lifter preload? The cam is almost certainly worn some but you may be able to quiet it down with just a pair of valve cover gaskets and some time.

 

[gaz]

Stamina,

Before you touch the lifters, see what's going on in your valve train. It is an adjustable valve train. The rocker arms are known to get clogged, as well as resulting rocker arm and push rod wear.

Removing the valve covers and inspecting and correctly adjusting these parts could save you a lot of strife. Could just need the lifter preload adjusted

 

[19Walt93]

Stamina,

Before you touch the lifters, see what's going on in your valve train. It is an adjustable valve train. The rocker arms are known to get clogged, as well as resulting rocker arm and push rod wear.

Removing the valve covers and inspecting and correctly adjusting these parts could save you a lot of strife. Could just need the lifter preload adjusted

If the rocker arms are clogged it means too few oil changes, that means neglected maintenance. Clamp a cheap pair of vise grips to the testicles of whoever does the maintenance.

 

[stamina]

An oil pressure gauge will monitor pressure for the whole system. There is a sensor on the engine now that does that but it is notoriously inaccurate. A new gauge will come with everything you need and instructions to install it. It is very simple. You will remove the old sensor and install new piece that runs an oil line from the engine to the cab where you will connect it to a gauge that measures the pressure. Anybody here can give advice help but you will see it’s a very simple job.

alright i’ve got the gauge installedused copper line as opposed to nylon, was a bit more time intensive but i think it’s going to be a permanent addition to the cockpit, i have some numbers for you, while driving normally without any revving rolling down the road at operating temperature: oil pressure = 40psi when i give it some throttle oil pressure pretty much maxes out at 45psi, does not go above 50, during idle at operating temperature oil pressure is 20psi, these are all numbers that i’ve just gotten from my first run after changing oil with 10w-40, motorcraft filter, and lucas HD. also when cold and warming up psi is around 40, i think this is normal though. let me know your thoughts and if you need more information i can let you know!

 

[stamina]

If the rocker arms are clogged it means too few oil changes, that means neglected maintenance. Clamp a cheap pair of vise grips to the testicles of whoever does the maintenance.

when i bought her she overheated due to i’m assuming terrible oil that was in there that was all i could gather from the memory, was quite a while ago and at the time i was very uneducated on automobile stuff, dude definitely didn’t take the utmost care of her, but since then i’ve done two engine flushes, one with seafoam and the second with Proline liqui moly engine flush. tell me more about this lifter preload? definitely not afraid to take the valve covers off.

 

[bobbywalter]

Guys adjusting lifter preload ... especially with the history of the oil change situation ..can wipe out cam lobes.


I think cam destruction is why 4.0 was non adj

 

[stamina]

Guys adjusting lifter preload ... especially with the history of the oil change situation ..can wipe out cam lobes.


I think cam destruction is why 4.0 was non adj

i take very very good care of her now that’s she’s under my name, are you sure this would cause total destruction of camshaft? you can’t shoot down one persons idea without replacing it with one of your own..

 

[bobbywalter]

i take very very good care of her now that’s she’s under my name, are you sure this would cause total destruction of camshaft? you can’t shoot down one persons idea without replacing it with one of your own..

It may already be toast.

Might work perfectly.

Problem is...metal never forgets.

It will not scab over and heal up like a paper cut.

That particular system is garbage and well worn. Stressing it is a bad idea.

Best bet is to have a look at the cam through the lifter bores after seeing how ugly the rockers and pushrods are..... If it is fair to good...put all new pushrods and rockers in the cleaned up heads with freshly lapped valves.

 

[stamina]

It may already be toast.

Might work perfectly.

Problem is...metal never forgets.

It will not scab over and heal up like a paper cut.

That particular system is garbage and well worn. Stressing it is a bad idea.

Best bet is to have a look at the cam through the lifter bores after seeing how ugly the rockers and pushrods are..... If it is fair to good...put all new pushrods and rockers in the cleaned up heads with freshly lapped valves.

would taking off the valve covers and putting in new pushrods and rockers help me out at all? would this be a bad idea?

 

[stamina]

would taking off the valve covers and putting in new pushrods and rockers help me out at all? would this be a bad idea?

because i don’t think i have what it takes to take the heads off

 

[bobbywalter]

Don't mix anything up.

Inspect what is there. Then you will know something

 

[stamina]

Don't mix anything up.

Inspect what is there. Then you will know something

you sound like a jedi bro i’m sorry, and thank you so much for all the info you’ve shared that i can understand, here’s what i gather, i will remove valve cover to check pushrods and rocker arms, i probably won’t be able to see through lifter bores as i do not have the balls to remove the heads. if the pushrods and rockers aren’t in good condition i will replace them. and maybe even send some pictures to this thread!

 

[bobbywalter]

You can pump on the lifters a bit with a 1/4 in extension adapted to a longer 3/8 extension to see if any are collapsed.

If a few bit the dust you will have to drink a big glass of fawk it, let's do this, and pop the seal

If they seem ok ..and not too floppy...and all the rest of the shit looks ok ...then adjust.

If it's nasty . Replace the rods and rockers and it will probably be good for a bit.

Waiting for parts from the uk will be the hard part...they have the good stuff for this little guy over there.

 

[gaz]

Stamina,

Once you have the valve covers off your going to see the good or bad of it. I expect that you, as I was, be shocked at the mess.

Pull the rockers arms, disassemble them (as Bobby suggested, keep track of where every part cam from; in case they are still serviceable, they need to go back exactly where they came from).

A prudent and inexpensive move would be to purchase a replacement set of rockers and push rods before it's taken apart. If everything is reusable, just return the unused new parts.

Also, valve lash and hydraulic lifter preload are very nearly the opposite procedures. Ensure you understand the difference prior to attempting to perform a hydraulic lifter preload adjustment.

 

[stamina]

Stamina,

Once you have the valve covers off your going to see the good or bad of it. I expect that you, as I was, be shocked at the mess.

Pull the rockers arms, disassemble them (as Bobby suggested, keep track of where every part cam from; in case they are still serviceable, they need to go back exactly where they came from).

A prudent and inexpensive move would be to purchase a replacement set of rockers and push rods before it's taken apart. If everything is reusable, just return the unused new parts.

Also, valve lash and hydraulic lifter preload are very nearly the opposite procedures. Ensure you understand the difference prior to attempting to perform a hydraulic lifter preload adjustment.

so i’m gonna get myself a set of valve cover gaskets, 12 pushrods and a set of rocker arms from each side, could i just replace them no matter what or should i reuse what’s in there if it’s good? you said they need to go back exactly where they came from, what does that mean? if i put a pushrod from cylinder 6 on cylinder 4 would this be bad? i kind of just want to replace all of the pieces i can under the valve cover straight up because i don’t know exactly what i’m looking for. also i’m pretty sure the valve covers are leaking anyways and this truck is my daily so i like to give her the works when it comes to doing anything at all.