Still sounds like a diesel

[Cheeko]

Hello friends,

Obligatory 4.0L OHV with 150k miles on it. Bought it off a guy who probably didn't care for it much. Long story short, I replaced the rocker arms, lifter arms, and hydraulic lifters. Still sounds the same as it did: loud tapping and like a diesel. I'm in 100+ degree heat and have heavy oil it in (don't remember what the weight is, more than 10W-30.

What would be the next step in the troubleshooting process? I'm thinking a new or upgraded oil pump? I've put so much blood, sweat, and beers into this than its worth but my intention is to make this safe and reliable for my 16 year old daughter to drive around for a while.

Your advice is appreciated

 

[Kira]

Maybe measure your oil pump output with a real gauge?
Oil with a dose of zinc compounds (a quiet oil) could help.
I bought cases of Formula Shell a while back. It ran quietly in several engines.

 

[Dirtman]

Maybe start by putting the right oil in it instead of some random goo of unknown viscosity?

 

[franklin2]

What did the engine look like when you took the valve covers off? If it wasn't very clean, I would pull the engine and go through it, or go to the junkyard and get another and drop it in place. Replacing parts here and there on a engine with a lot of miles and has not been taken care of is not going to work. If you pay for parts and the labor to get the engine re-worked, you will probably be better off getting a good used engine.

 

[franklin2]

I picked a 1999 4.0 with federal emissions and no EGR. If your engine is different you will have to go to www.car-part.com and pick a different one. Here is what is available in Texas for that style 4.0.

2000 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	REMAN 3YR/100K PART LABOR WARRANTY [300-71240E]	1,000​	A​	ASA002	$1775​	Grimes Truck & Auto Parts - RTN, PRP Midwest, MIDW USA-TX(Grand-Prairie) Request_Quote 972-262-5127 Request_Insurance_Quote	1106​
1999 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	RUN GOOD	238​	A​	23077	$550​	Beltway Used Parts - KOLT USA-TX(Houston) Request_Quote 1-281-454-7278 / 1-800-469-7656 Request_Insurance_Quote	1120​
1999 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	XLT,4.0,ATOD,4x4	​	​	15H18	$700​	Pick Up Parts USA-TX(Houston) Request_Quote 1-800-201-0079 Request_Insurance_Quote	1133​
2000 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	GOOD,XL,4.0,EFI,AT,RWD	​	​	004328	$Call​	For Less Used Auto Parts USA-TX(Houston) E-mail 713-734-1621	1141​
2000 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	4.0, STOCK# #001162, TAG# #001162	​	​	LP001162	$600​	David's Auto Salvage USA-TX(Abilene) Request_Quote 325-672-3410