Can someone school me on the valve train

[USMCFords]

I want to put new springs, lifters, and whatnot in my 2.9. I've never done any kind of valve train work, so can someone give me list of what I would need? I would prefer not to pull the heads, but I will if it's needed. Any help would be great.

 

[Psychopete]

I want to put new springs, lifters, and whatnot in my 2.9. I've never done any kind of valve train work, so can someone give me list of what I would need? I would prefer not to pull the heads, but I will if it's needed. Any help would be great.

Heads need to come off to get the lifters out.

Be sure to clean out the rocker shafts real well. Lack of oil to the valve train is one reason why these engines tick, sometimes the engine is just worn out and oil is not making it where it needs to be due to that factor. Efforts maybe fruitless, 2.9Ls are known for ticking.

Pete

 

[BeaterMan]

you dont have to pull the heads, i believe you can remove the intake manifold to get the lifters out. there is also a special fitting that you screw into you spark plug hole and with the piston on TDC on the compression stroke, you air up the cylinder to keep the valve from falling in while the spring is removed. i've done this a few times and its a headace but it beats pulling the heads off. best of luck to you

 

[Psychopete]

you dont have to pull the heads, i believe you can remove the intake manifold to get the lifters out.

Sorry, but yes you do. (Not trying to be a dick, but the OP would have a 'gotcha' moment when trying to pull them)

Pete

 

[BlackBII]

Pete knows his shit when it comes to these little bastards.

Heads need to come off.

I have yet to meet a 2.9 that doesn't tick at least sometimes...

 

[USMCFords]

Thanks, but I think I'm just going to do valve springs, seals, and clean under the cover real well. The ticking is pretty bad. Can't it screw something up to change lifters without changing the cam? Anyone have a picture of the rocker shaft available? It runs across the top of the rockers right? Is that what lubes the topend?

 

[AllanD]

The "Ticking" is NOT related to tjhe springs valves or rockers

The ticking is because the oil is leaking out of the cam bearings before it can be forced into the lifters

This has ZERO effect on the oiling for the rockers because they are oiled by a seperate feed through one of the rocker shaft pedestals (but a major "oil control issue" doesn't prevent them from getitng starved too)

IF your 2.9 engine "ticks" all you are going to accomplish by doing what you are planning
will be to waste money and increase your frustration.

a Ticking 2.9 is JUNK.

You can "fix it" but fixing it is several times the cost of getting another engine that doesn't tick and swapping it in.

Typically a junkyard engine you can SEE running is cheaper
than a 2.9 gasket set.

USMC eh? Write this down....
there is no substitute for proper reconnaissance, it is the key to
every sucessful mission.

I presume your goal is to have a properly operating RELIABLE truck.
Ask us and we'll tell you how.

Frankly if you've got an '89-92 2.9 truck it's probably easier to swap in a 4.0 than find a good 2.9 engine.

AD

 

[USMCFords]

Thanks for the info. I realize that valves and seals wont solve the problem, but while I have the valve cover off, why not change them? I have an 87, and it runs great, just that ticking is annoying. I wouldn't call a ticking 2.9 junk, as it clearly is doing it's job. But ultimately, yes, my goal is a reliable engine, preferably the one in it. It has 133,000 miles.

 

[ronclark]

I have had good luck running thinner oil like 5w 30 in a ticking 2.9 and still runs runs around 20psi at idle and 70 psi on a cold start.

 

[AllanD]

The original 2.9 in my supercab started ticking at ~25k miles

It continued to tick until the engine finally
was removed, lack of compression due to old age
at 242,000.

Several 2.9 engines later (various catastrophic failures later)
I finally put a 4.0 in.

The 4.0 has now been in the truck for longer than any previous engine
except the original... I'd say "third time is the charm" except by my most
careful reckoning this is engine #8

Frankly the 4.0 is everything that most people want the 2.9 to be.

AD

 

[USMCFords]

The original 2.9 in my supercab started ticking at ~25k miles

It continued to tick until the engine finally
was removed, lack of compression due to old age
at 242,000.

Several 2.9 engines later (various catastrophic failures later)
I finally put a 4.0 in.

The 4.0 has now been in the truck for longer than any previous engine
except the original... I'd say "third time is the charm" except by my most
careful reckoning this is engine #8

Frankly the 4.0 is everything that most people want the 2.9 to be.

AD

Well a 4.0 isn't in the picture.

 

[fastpakr]

Even though it may very well cost less than your 2.9 will cost to repair?

 

[USMCFords]

Even though it may very well cost less than your 2.9 will cost to repair?

Maybe when the 2.9 quits. And thats just a maybe. What all do I need for the swap? Engine, tranny, driveshafts, rearend, computer, crossmembers etc. All that for a motor that has a timing chain rattle that's just as annoying, and the 4.0s parts are more expensive than the 2.9. Somehow I doubt that is cheaper than the $10 gaskets and <$100 worth of parts just to get the ticking to go away. And it might still be there when I'm done, but at least it'll run that much longer.

 

[fastpakr]

Same transmission, driveshafts, crossmember, etc. If you have an 89 or 90 it's an extremely easy swap. More wiring to adjust with an earlier truck.

How do you plan to spend $10 on gaskets when you're pulling the heads? Or are you just doing the other changes that won't do anything to fix the problem or promote the longevity of the engine?

 

[USMCFords]

I have an 87. Valve cover gaskets are 10 bucks. Apparently its a problem that cant be fixed. So i'll leave it and run it another 130,000 miles.