Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
OK, I have had an ongoing issue with lifter clatter after changing my intake from a performer to a Stealth. I finally just replaced all of my lifters. Everything is fine and then suddenly number 8 intake lifter starts clacking really loud. After some time it goes down to a ticking and then stops ticking completely, and then randomly starts clacking again. I have set the rockers several times and this one is in spec at about 3/8 turn from stoppong free play at the pushrod at 19Ft lbs of torque.
Any idrea what might be causing this? Oil is 5W30 synthetic blend and oil pressure is around 45lbs at idle with the engine at 160 degrees. |
mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2461 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Keith, If you have adjustable rockers you don't use torque. You go 1/2 to 1 turn slowly after clatter goes away and the allen head set screw locks it in. The stock non-adjustable rockers are just torqued to 20ftlbs. You never do both.
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Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Sorry. I have pedastal rockers. The procedure is to bring the lifters to the base of the cam and then take up the slack then torque to 18 to 20 lbs. The lifter shoulp preload 1/4 to 1/2 turn. What i was trying to say is all of my lifters are within that spec but number 8 still clatters really loudly, then goes quiet for 20 miles or so then clatters again.
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Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Jim, that's where I am heading. Pulled the intake for the 4th time. Cant find anything wrong with the lifter but I'm gonna replace it anyway.
Unfortunately as I was checking things out, I pulled a bonehead stunt. I was bumping the motor over and forgot to shut off my MSD box. Can you say engine fire! The damage was minimal, lots of burned wiring, spark plug wires and it looks like my ignition module is fried. Hopefully nothing else is hurt except my pride! More to come, but it may be a few weeks. Waiting on my Order from Summit and a long enough break from the day job to get it sorted out again. |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
OK gents, I am at a complete loss. I have had the intake off 3 times trying to fix this problem. Number 8 intake lifter ticks really loud. I have:
Replaced all the lifters with new ones Replaced the number 8 lifter again put in new pushrods replaced the spider lifter retainer that goes in the valley area checked compression on #8 and it is within spec at 123PSI, so I don't think its the head. Lifters have been set to spec. Cam on base circle, rockers torqued to 19 foot pounds 1/2 to 3/4 turn after slack in the pushrod is taken up. I am at a complete loss on what to do.... |
HealeyRick Rick Neville (489 posts) Registered: 12/19/2007 05:01PM Main British Car: 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Hitting the oil baffle in the valve cover? Otherwise, I'd try swapping the lifter and pushrod from another cylinder and see if the noise stays with #8. Might help you rule them out.
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Broken or weak valve spring? Galled or bent rocker? Flat lobe on cam? (yes it happens on rollers as well) Loose valve guide or dropped valve seat?
Whatever it is, you have earned your ride this summer. |
smelfi Steve Melfi Alexandria Ohio (90 posts) Registered: 04/26/2008 07:35AM Main British Car: 1977 MGB 302 |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Maybe you should check the cam lobe. Rig up a dial indicator somehow to monitor the lifters and rotate the engine by hand from the base circle through intake open to close on a couple known good cylinders and then on #8 to see if you can detect a difference in the lift and perhaps any changes to the dial movement - sudden changes, open or close ramps faster than the good cylinders, etc. On a long shot, could the lifter bore be the problem - excessive side play?
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Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Thanks all! After finally purchasing a proper stethascope, I found that it was the number 8 piston/rod making the noise. Can you say spun bearing! Guess I shouldn't have gone cheap with used components.
I am researching crate motors now... |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Don't need a stethascope for that, Keith. Don't have any hotrod buddies nearby?
As a general rule, a lifter pecking is a higher pitch nearer to the top of the engine. A rod knocking will sound lower in pitch & deeper in the engine. Sorry about your engine. Now you can build a solid bottom end. |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Carl, I'm pretty much on my own here and just got back into hot rods about a year ago by building this car. My buddy and self proclaimed Ford expert was pretty sure it was a lifter also! This noise seemed loudest at the top of the engine. I'm thinking because the deep part of the pan is at number 8 and I just couldn't hear it with the old screwdriver stuck to my ear method. It also didn't seem to follow engine rpm, lagging behind when the throttle was blipped and the motor returned to idle. I actually paid our mechanic to be my buddy and come out after work to give a diagnosis. Still makes 123 to 125 PSI compression on all cylinders with the GT40 3 bar heads. Its really too bad as it was a great 1990 GT motor with forged pistons and low mileage.
I am looking at crate motors from ATK. I cant quite afford the Ford crate motor and ATK seems to have good reviews. Plus I can go look over their shop since they are only 30 miles away. I hate to spend the money, but I dont have the time to rebuild a motor this year. just doing the swap again will be challenging enough :) ! |
DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Pull the head Keith!!!
I'll bet you have something floating around in that cylinder. A spun bearing would be a more consistent noise. Cheers Fred |
roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
One more trick, is to ground the plug/wire, to the suspect cylinder. Valvetrain would still clatter as would Freds' foreign object theory. By taking the the "boom" load, off of the recip parts, they should get quieter. Good Luck, roverman.
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Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Art, I tried pulling the plug wire on that cylinder and it made little difference. Now pulling the exhaust rocker arm seemed to quiet it down. That's why I put new lifters in her and then even put another new one in number 8 intake.
A professional mechanic assured me its the number 8 rod. Said it was definitely a piston as soon as I started it up and then got underneath with a stethascope and could hear it banging. At this point I am going to pull the head on that side and check it out. Then go ahead and pull the camshaft if I find no issues. I want to go aluminum heads and need more cam anyway. If I don't find anything wrong there, I will assume its in the bottom end and the motor and tranny will come out. I don't know what else to do at this point. Gonna be a long hot summer in the garage down here in Texas! :) |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
OK, Fred, I pulled the head and #8 piston has definitely taken a bit of a beating and there is one scratch in the cylinder wall, but the head itself is fine. there is nothing in that cylinder at this time. It looks like not pulling the head may have cost me this motor since even if it hasn't spun a rod I don't think i would trust it for the 6000RPMS I need the motor to pull to, plus I cant imagine that cylinder is making good compression with a scratch in the cylinder wall.
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Sorry to hear that Keith, I was really hoping for the fairy tale ending.
Looks as if #8 piston got beat until a ring broke and scored the cylinder. Sounds like you have the skill set to pull off a rebuild. If you can free up the time, I sure that we can guide you through it. Live like you mean it Fred |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Yep Fred! Ive built a lot of motors, but this was my 1st Ford. I am kind of leaning towards a crate motor this time though. My paying job is crazy busy and I got a nice bonus, so for once I have more money than time.
Actually went over and toured ATK, as they are local to me here in Dallas. Nice Facility. Got to see them build a 365HP 302 like I want and also a 347 stroker and got to see them dyno a 383 Chevy stroker. I was fairly impressed. |
HealeyRick Rick Neville (489 posts) Registered: 12/19/2007 05:01PM Main British Car: 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L |
Re: Ford 5.0 #8 intake Lifter banging
Sometimes paying someone else to do the work can be the difference between driving your car or letting it sit until you get around to it. Don't feel guilty about it of it's in your budget. Bite the bullet and get back on the road.
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