Valve adjustment?

[RangerJ]

1989 4x4 xlt 2.9 auto. Can the valves and rocker arms be adjusted. Been told twice that they cannot. Just wondering is it yea or nay

 

[IMenriched]

1989 4x4 xlt 2.9 auto. Can the valves and rocker arms be adjusted. Been told twice that they cannot. Just wondering is it yea or nay

should be able to...best to get a repair manual for proper procedure.
check the tech Library out there might be a section on it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

your engine has hydraulic lifters that automatically adjust valve lash. there are no adjustments.

if your valves are making noise, its likely due to worn pushrods and rockers. cologne engines are somewhat known for this problem. the fix is to replace the pushrods and rockers.

 

[holyford86]

2.9s do have a way to adjust the valves but the ticking you hear isn't due to excessive clearance in the valvetrain, it is due to worn cam bearings bleeding oil and starving the valvetrain of lubrication.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

2.9s do have a way to adjust the valves

how?

 

[Psychopete]

They have adjusters on the ends on the rocker arms. They have a cup style push rod, which makes contact with the ball on the bottom of the adjuster.

A replacement one, but mine looked slightly different:

Pete

 

[RangerJ]

your engine has hydraulic lifters that automatically adjust valve lash. there are no adjustments.

if your valves are making noise, its likely due to worn pushrods and rockers. cologne engines are somewhat known for this problem. the fix is to replace the pushrods and rockers.

How difficult and time consuming is a pushrod and rocker arm repair?

 

[shadetree]

According to my Chilton's, the only V6 Ranger engine with adjustable rockers was the 2.8. All others are hydraulic. Maybe it's wrong, but I don't think so.shady

 

[cocoasranger]

I think the adjustment feature is to preload the hydraulic lifters after the heads are installed. I believe you adjust them one additional turn after you have no play in the valve train.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ill admit its been a few years since ive been under the valve covers of a 2.9....but im still not sure. i dont understand why ford would use hydraulic lifters AND manual lash adjustment on one engine.

rangerj, replacing the rocker arms and pushrods isnt too bad. the upper intake has to come off to access the drivers side valve cover...but after that everything is pretty easy to get to.

 

[Psychopete]

I have a 2.9L setting the bed of my truck right now. Want me to pull the valve covers and take a picture for you all? I just had them off not long ago, I sold my Motorsport valve covers to another member on the board.

RangerJ, they don't really need adjusted ever so often like solid lifters. I could see if you had replaced the push rods or lifters, otherwise there's really no need to adjust. If it's to resolve a ticking problem, it's likely that lifter adjustment won't help.

It's 0-lash, then 1.5-1.75 turns.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_HeadSwap.html

Pete

Edit:

 

[RangerJ]

rangerj, replacing the rocker arms and pushrods isnt too bad. the upper intake has to come off to access the drivers side valve cover...but after that everything is pretty easy to get to.
__________________
Thanks Is this a 2-3 hours job?

 

[RangerJ]

Want me to pull the valve covers and take a picture for you all?

That would be good if you want to.Thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

if your still relativly new to the world of wrenching, id give yourself a weekend to get everything tied up and put back together. someone whos been wrenching a while could probably have it done in a few hours or so.

 

[cocoasranger]

ill admit its been a few years since ive been under the valve covers of a 2.9....but im still not sure. i dont understand why ford would use hydraulic lifters AND manual lash adjustment on one engine.

Here is the Chilton instructions for setting the valve lash after replacing the hydraulic lifters and/or push rods.

On 2.9L engines, adjust valve lash as follows:
Loosen the valve adjusting screws several turns.
Slowly tighten the adjusting screws until the rocker arm faces just touch the valve stems.
Turn the adjusting screws in another 1 1/2 turns.
Run the engine.

Any questions?