96 Explorer Engine Tick

[pgilchri]

I have done the 96 explorer engine swap with an engine that supposedly only had 62k on it. When first started (cold) it sounds great but after it warms up I get a tick from the engine. It sounds like a lifter tick but I wasn't sure if a roller cam would make this noise.

Any incite is appreciated!

-Patrick

 

[RnrdTheFox]

I have a 97 with ~ 40K miles (so they said) and it has a slight tick while running after it's warmed up. I only notice it every once in a while. It's not very loud.

 

[ugly74]

try runnin some BG44K through it to flush out any varnish and goobers.
roller cam or not, lifters can tick if they get all sticky.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Exhaust leak is another option.
Sometimes injectors are a bit noisey and sound like valvetrain.

 

[bigmuddy]

I put an 88 5.0HO motor with 10K on the odometer last year and it had a good tick after I got it running and it was lifter. I installed new ones and the tick went away.

Ben

 

[pgilchri]

Can I just replace the lifters...or do I have to replace the cam too?

-Patrick

 

[Broncobowsher]

Only if the cam is damaged.

Remember to actually diagnos the problem, not just throw parts at it hoping to fix it.

 

[bigmuddy]

Your 97 is a roller motor and so will have roller lifter as well, the cam should be fine. As broncobowsher said make sure it's your problem and then go from there.

Ben

 

[pgilchri]

So Just to clarify...because it has a roller cam I can swap out just the lifters without damaging the cam? Do you think I am causing any damage by driving it with the tick?

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[ugly74]

So Just to clarify...because it has a roller cam I can swap out just the lifters without damaging the cam? Do you think I am causing any damage by driving it with the tick?

Thanks,
Patrick

yes, you can just swap out the lifters and it would be fine. since they have rollers, it doesn't have two sliding surfaces that have to wear into each other, like on a flat tappet cam.
but that all seems like a lot of money and pain in the posterior...compared to flushing the oil system out with some "5 minute motor flush" or BG44K.
it's worked for me everytime I've had a lifter start ticking.

 

[pgilchri]

Ugly74 I actually tried the 5 minute motor flush with some conventional oil right after I got it running. It definitely did some cleaning...as it turned the oil black. I then put in synthetic hoping the tick would be cured but there was no change. Maybe Ill give it another chance or add some seafoam to the synthetic to see if I can get it cleaned out.

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[ugly74]

I've got a dodge truck with a 360 that all of a sudden had a nasty lifter tap, so I did the 5 minute motor flush. actually it took just over 12 minutes of idling for it to finally shut up.
so is this like a common problem then? explorer lifters tickin all the time?

 

[RnrdTheFox]

I've got a dodge truck with a 360 that all of a sudden had a nasty lifter tap, so I did the 5 minute motor flush. actually it took just over 12 minutes of idling for it to finally shut up.
so is this like a common problem then? explorer lifters tickin all the time?

On mine, it's only a slight, barely noticable tick that I pay attention to. I'm not sure it's a lifter. Could be an injector too in my case. Once I start driving mine everyday, I'll get a better feel for it. I'm going to put some injector cleaner in mine first and then work from there. I like the flush idea also.

 

[Duke Nukem]

I have a '97 explorer that has a lifter tick so it seems like a common problem with those engines. It is more noticable at startup but quiets down once the engine gets to operating temperature. Otherwise the engine seems to run well and it doesn't bother me enough to bother replacing the lifters.

 

[broncokak]

Funny, I have a 98 Explorer motor and I think it has a tic as well. I know I did have an exhaust leak but that has been fixed. I can hear it after it warms up it seems to come from the passenger's side but everyone I have had listen to it (including a Stealership) say to just run it and don't worry about it. Drives me nuts but no one said a word about it at the Round Up last weekend so I guess it isn't all that bad.

 

[pgilchri]

I think I am probably being a little anal because the engine I swapped out had a tick. It got progressively worse and I discovered that a lifter and a cam lobe wore through the hardened outer and ground each other down.
Thanks for the help.
Patrick