Rattle inside motor.

[Ranger850]

3.0 v6
blew the head gasket and it sat for a while. My dad towed it to his house and replaced both head gaskets, water pump, & thermostat. Brought the truck back to me and I didn't get to drive it that much, So, I had it idling one day to get it to temperature for all the nuts and bolts to seat. After about 20 minutes the motor sounds like it has something rattling around inside. Almost like it is in the intake plenum but I know its not in there. My dad thinks it may be a broken pushrod. Does that sound right and if so how hard or easy is that to remedy? I know I have to remove the intake and fuel rails. will I need to remove the heads again?

 

[RonD]

Just need to take valve cover off to get to push rods on that side of the engine

Engine would have a steady misfire if there was a broken push rod
Does it?

 

[Ranger850]

Yes. Definitely misfiring but runs. it's been a few weeks since I've had it running. Have a trickle charger on it so I can crank her up this week to further Diagnose the noise. Thanks RonD. I was hoping it was fairly simple. I'm pretty good with a wrench, just not a lot of wrenches in the toolbox. lol

 

[Ranger850]

Well I pulled off the valve cover of the "easy" side. No broken pushrods. I guess I'll try to tackle the other side this weekend. Have to remove the intake plenum to get to that one tho.

 

[Ranger850]

Pulled the other valve cover this weekend. Found a broken lifter spring and a bent rod. Was able to find the retainers that fit onto the valve that keep the spring loaded. quick run to the parts store and I should be putting it back together this week.
Is there any other little things I should do or check before putting it all back together?

 

[Ranger850]

I think my block is locked up. I can turn it at the crankshaft about 1/4 of a turn either way then it hits something or stops.

 

[RonD]

That would be a broken connecting rod, a very bad thing.

Got to pull the engine

 

[pjtoledo]

Pulled the other valve cover this weekend. Found a broken lifter spring and a bent rod. Was able to find the retainers that fit onto the valve that keep the spring loaded. quick run to the parts store and I should be putting it back together this week.
Is there any other little things I should do or check before putting it all back together?

umm, what's holding the valve up?
additionally, where is the valve?

if you're lucky the valve stem seal is holding the valve in place

 

[Ranger850]

umm, what's holding the valve up?
additionally, where is the valve?

if you're lucky the valve stem seal is holding the valve in place

Yes the valve stem seal is holding the valve from falling onto the cylinder, I presume, since I cant pull it out. but I think the actual valve has broken.
Driver side, closest to firewall, I think that's is cylinder #6 in firing order but I'm not positive.

Sounds like I got a boat anchor for sale.lol