Ticking noise from top end engine

[rockg]

Got a new noise...ticking from top end, not at idle but once a little gas it starts to tick. I pulled the valve covers and everything looks to be ok, next thing to check is the sparkplugs and wires.

Has anyone ever been through this situation before? The plugs and wires are fairly new, can't remember the name of wires at the moment. It did have a slight miss and low idle when last driving it. I do not drive my eb everyday and have not put too many miles on it.

Thanks

 

[70_Steve]

I have had an exhaust leak from the manifold/header gasket sound like a valve tap.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

X2 on exhaust leak. It may be a stuck lifter too...but exhaust leak is most likely the culprit.

 

[rockg]

Good point, i did have a loose header bolt. process of elimination at this point.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Another vote for exhaust leak.

 

[rockg]

Broke down the top end to determine the top end noise, smoked a lifter, apparently someone in charge of break-in of the new cam failed...back to the drawing board...

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Is the cam OK?

 

[rockg]

I really don't think it will be good after all of this. I have a non-roller engine. The luck...

 

[blubuckaroo]

I've had a failed lifter too. Mine didn't show up till right after the 20 minute run-in. Lost two lifters & lobes. I hadn't used the recommended break-in additive. If you have wiped a lifter, it's important to clean the engine out really good. Pull the pan and oil pump. I even pulled a couple of rod and main caps to make sure the filter had caught all the particles. Next time around, I used the break-in additive and the cam worked great. Good luck with yours!

 

[rockg]

Thanks, I guess i will be pulling engine again.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

I really don't think it will be good after all of this. I have a non-roller engine. The luck...

Unfortunately, I need to agree with you. That sucks.

 

[rockg]

Coming soon...68 bronco without engine for sale...killer deal...

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Coming soon...68 bronco without engine for sale...killer deal...

??? Another cam and lifters, proper break in lube and you are back on the road!!

 

[70_Steve]

Coming soon...68 bronco without engine for sale...killer deal...

Why would you want to keep just the engine, especially considering it's got a wiped cam?



It's OK to get a little discouraged.. at first... and then you move on and do what you need to do...

I had my engine rebuild by a local shop two years ago. Huge PIA. Had to R&R the engine twice, cause of stuff they screwed up, but I had to pay for.... Earlier this year, I flopped my Bronco on it's side. Not to bad except for the collective brain fart after we got it up on all fours. We tried to start the engine, and had it hydrolock on the oil that got sucked up into the intake manifold. Bent two connecting rods in addition to finding out that the rest of the machine work done two years ago was crap. $1300 in machine work later, and I finished putting the engine together yesterday...

 

[blubuckaroo]

Thanks, I guess i will be pulling engine again.

You don't need to pull the motor to do the work.

 

[rockg]

Yea it's all overreaction at this point when i made that statement. I've just had a rash of bad luck with this rig and haven't been able to enjoy it.

My concern is that i can't remove the lifter from the top and when i pull the cam, i need to somehow catch it without it falling. I will try to pull it with some channel locks, but if i need to remove the pan anyway i guess it doesnt really matter.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Get a pair of vice grips on it so it can't fall down.

 

[bad 68]

Problem is cam won't come out without removing the grill. That really sucks.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Problem is cam won't come out without removing the grill. That really sucks.

The grill comes off really easy. Mine comes off for any work on the front of the motor anymore. The ten minutes it takes to get it off makes a lot of sense.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

The grill comes off really easy. Mine comes off for any work on the front of the motor anymore. The ten minutes it takes to get it off makes a lot of sense.

X2...mine is actually off right now.