Valvetrain noise

[majestic]

Pretty noticeable clicking under the cam cover. Increases with revs. Will post video when I can. Not going to drive until figured out. Bad lifter? Ideas what to look for when I pull the cover?

[majestic]

video/audio:


https://youtu.be/EVheiE2L7bA

[MikeFleming]

Slider cam?? Sounds like a heavily worn rocker arm/follower & associated lobe. If it's a slider, it's time for new cam (and oil + filter change, etc.).

Pull the cam cover and have a visual inspection. Should be obvious.

[majestic]

Slider cam?? Sounds like a heavily worn rocker arm/follower & associated lobe. If it's a slider, it's time for new cam (and oil + filter change, etc.).

Pull the cam cover and have a visual inspection. Should be obvious.

That will be frustrating since the following was done under 20k miles ago according to the previous owner:

8 valve guides (SB International 140-9206), 4 Intake Seats (SB International SB1812-4), 4 Exhaust Seats (SB International SB1562-1), cam bearings (Dura-bond? F-34). Magnaflux head, 3-angle valve job. Installed new cam kit (Melling CL-SFP-2B -- includes SFP-2 CAM, 8 JB-2012 LIFTERS, 8 MR-810 ROCKER ARMS, head-to-block dowels (FelPro AES74011), Headbolt set (FelPro ES72137, Head Gasket (FelPro 8993 PT-1), Exhaust Manifold Gasket (Victor Reinz MS16048), Intake Manifold Gasket Set (FelPro MS90266-1), Oil Filler Cap (Stant BSO 87 / 11087), Thermostat and gasket (Motorcraft RT-1140), Timing Belt Tensioner (Gates T41005), Timing Belt (NAPA 250014), Valve Cover Gasket (Victor Reinz VS50208), IAC Pigtail (Standard S663). Installed rebuilt alternator (ACME Auto Electric $55), Changed engine oil (Penzoil 10w30).

I'm wondering if maybe I should look for a new head for the car. This one smokes at startup and it makes me wonder if the work done to it was done wrong if the cam is shot at 20k miles. Damned thing is getting expensive.

[majestic]

If anyone has recommendations for a good shop around NW AR, I'd appreciate it. Ford just charges too much and doesn't really seem to know what they are doing.

[MikeFleming]

Short plume of smoke on start-up is usually due to bad valve stem seals - which I did not see listed above (might have missed it).

Desc. for cam kit reads "OE Stock Replacement Grind; Contains Camshaft, Lifters And Rocker Arms" so I suspect it's a slider cam.

Pull the cam cover and have a look. It *might* be under warranty depending on when the kit was originally purchased. In any case changing cams is a ~4 hour job (the third time you do it). Look for a ranger roller with rockers for a bolt-in installation (no machining required).

And snap some pics of the valve springs and inners to see if there are seals on the guides. Installing seals takes another 1-3 hours (during a cam change). Special tools and compressor required.

[majestic]

Short plume of smoke on start-up is usually due to bad valve stem seals - which I did not see listed above (might have missed it).

Desc. for cam kit reads "OE Stock Replacement Grind; Contains Camshaft, Lifters And Rocker Arms" so I suspect it's a slider cam.

Pull the cam cover and have a look. It *might* be under warranty depending on when the kit was originally purchased. In any case changing cams is a ~4 hour job (the third time you do it). Look for a ranger roller with rockers for a bolt-in installation (no machining required).

And snap some pics of the valve springs and inners to see if there are seals on the guides. Installing seals takes another 1-3 hours (during a cam change). Special tools and compressor required.

Beginning to wish I'd held out for a lower mile car with fewer issues. This one is really starting to show its age, regardless of what maintenance might have been performed. Paint refresh revealed some issues that I didn't expect. I'm really trying to decide if I just need to dump it and start over. Obviously, I didn't expect a wiped cam within the first 800 miles after purchase. Dropping another couple grand into this one is beginning to seem like a non-starter.

[majestic]

Might have found someone to work on this. I'm going to need to order a cam (roller) and roller rockers plus valve stem seals. Can anyone recommend a good cam/vendor? I had the A237 on a previous car and it was kind of soft down low.

[Mike S]

Might have found someone to work on this. I'm going to need to order a cam (roller) and roller rockers plus valve stem seals. Can anyone recommend a good cam/vendor? I had the A237 on a previous car and it was kind of soft down low.

Boport is back in business. You would want his 1.1 for stockish or the 1.5 for more power without machining. The best place I found for roller rockers was ebay. He has NOS available or you could find both at a pull-a-part from a Ranger.

[majestic]

Slider cam?? Sounds like a heavily worn rocker arm/follower & associated lobe. If it's a slider, it's time for new cam (and oil + filter change, etc.).

Pull the cam cover and have a visual inspection. Should be obvious.


Man, you were right. One lobe was about 1/16" shorter and flattened off. Sounds much better with the roller cam.

[MikeFleming]

Man, you were right. One lobe was about 1/16" shorter and flattened off. Sounds much better with the roller cam. Party On, Wayne!!