Sometimes she ticks, sometimes she don't

[blue83ranger]

A few months ago the heads on my '88 ranger cracked so i got a new set of World Products heads off ebay for $250 and free gaskets. Ever since my engine sometimes ticks and i was curious if i should be worried about it? Engine has 100,715 miles on it. when i had the heads off all the cylinders still had the bore marks in the cylinder. the previous owner was insane with maintenance. The tick just happens randomly. It makes no difference what the temp is outside, temp of the motor, how long or short i drive it. I could start it up with no tick and drive it and when i get where I'm going and it's ticking. or the opposite. Oil pressure is great warm and cold and i got all antifreeze, or at least the most possible out of the engine. and it sounds like it's just one lifter maybe 2. Sometimes there's no sound what so ever and other times I'll have the radio on (not very loud) and i can here it ticking. there is no power loss when it does tick. So, should i worry about this or is it just the 'normal' tick these engines have? thanks

 

[abrush]

Well, it depends on if it is just a tick or a knock. Mine starting knocking at idle. It wouldn't do it when I was accelerating, just idling like at stop lights, etc. Mine ended up being a rod bearing so I just pulled the engine and dropped in a 4.0L. The 2.9L are known for a tick though. Mine always ticked.

 

[blue83ranger]

it's definitely a tick. But like i said sometimes there is no tick AT ALL.

 

[90B24wd]

Check your rocker arm shafts they may be clogged wth dried up sludge restricting oil flow from the rocker arms, their for causing ticking.

 

[blue83ranger]

just going by the guy who had it before me, i highly doubt there would be any sludge. You should read is "book" of stuff he did to this truck he was very into maintance but i guess there's always a chance. If i get time i'll check that out. thanks

 

[0ldman]

It really sounds like an exhaust leak to me. It isn't that odd for one to come and go as the metal expands and shrinks.

 

[434fireboy52]

When was the last time you pulled the oil pan? Is it more prone to tick if it sits a day or two or in the morning? Check the screen on the pick-up in oil pan. 2.9 are bad about ticking because the screen gets blocked up. The pan can be a mother to get out but if you can let the truck a day or two then drop the pan without moving it anymore than you need to and I bet you'll have a little hill of sludge and build up just below the pick-up.

 

[blue83ranger]

I have never had the pan off, and i doubt it's ever been off before. There is no routine on when it ticks or when it doesn't the engine could be cold, hot, warm, idling, cruising, could of been quite when i first started it then ticking when i get where I'm going or the other way around it just ticks whenever it "feels" like it. and the oil pressure is always good (aftermarket gauge)

 

[blackbelair]

Could it be that the valve guides are causing the valves to stick? I had a sticking valve in one of my other cars and I read in one of the car magazines to put Marvel Mystery Oil in the engine and the gas tank. I tried this and it worked great! I'm wondering if it would be ok to put Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas tank of a fuel injected car? Do you think the injectors would get fouled?

 

[mikhail]

its probably just the valve clatter, most 2.9s do this. mine does it every now and then