Lifter question
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Warner Robins GA
Lifter question
Ever since I've owned the car, there's been a clatter sound from the top end. It's not a tick like a normal lifter, and I can't really pinpoint it to the passenger or driver side. It's almost like it's coming from the center. A couple of people have told me it's just my ears playing tricks on me, and it's my injectors. I still think they're wrong because I replaced my injectors (for other reasons) and the exact sound is still there.
In a few days I'm going to tear apart the top end of my 88 and replace all the gaskets. There were a couple of gaskets I forgot to buy so I reused the old ones.. felt uneasy about it ever since.
Should I go ahead and pull the intake manifold? I'm going to be flushing the radiator anyway, so I believe the only thing extra I'll have to pull would be the distributor. I figure while the manifold is off I can bring it in and polish it up.
Or can I diagnose this by simply pulling the valve covers? I was hoping to paint my valve covers anyway, so it wouldn't be a total loss.
Neither option would be a total waste of time, but I don't really want to turn it into an all day project. Especially if I find out it really is my injectors.
In a few days I'm going to tear apart the top end of my 88 and replace all the gaskets. There were a couple of gaskets I forgot to buy so I reused the old ones.. felt uneasy about it ever since.
Should I go ahead and pull the intake manifold? I'm going to be flushing the radiator anyway, so I believe the only thing extra I'll have to pull would be the distributor. I figure while the manifold is off I can bring it in and polish it up.
Or can I diagnose this by simply pulling the valve covers? I was hoping to paint my valve covers anyway, so it wouldn't be a total loss.
Neither option would be a total waste of time, but I don't really want to turn it into an all day project. Especially if I find out it really is my injectors.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Lifter question (uralman)
my 87 has the same chatter. sounds to light to be a lifter or rocker. runs fine. always assumed it was the injectors.
I was inclined to agree that it might be injectors as well, except it sounds exactly the same after putting Ford 24lb SVO injectors in.
It only seems to do it when it warms up. I consulted my Helms manual about lifters before asking the forum, and it says:
"Noisy at slow idle or with hot oil, quiet with cold oil or as engine speed increases: High leak down rate. Replace suspected lifter".
The symptoms describe this sound perfectly. Like you though, it runs perfectly except a pesky low idle for a few seconds when I start it in the morning. But that's a whole different story (perhaps one I'll fix when I do my upper end gaskets).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Re: Lifter question (Tourney3p0)
I also have an 88, "engine was rebuilt 3 years ago and only put 10 000 km on it since then".
I have the stock injectors and the injectors themselves do make noise but its a distinct ticking sound. Its very different then an engine clatter sound. If you place two of your fingers around the injector and bring your ear close to it, you'll feel it pulse and you'll ear it "TICK".
I'm not an engine expert, but its very obvious to me what my injectors
The way your talking, it sounds to me that something internal is going on.
Ps: I've never rebuilt an engine, so you should know more about injector and engine sounds then me :rolleyes:
I have the stock injectors and the injectors themselves do make noise but its a distinct ticking sound. Its very different then an engine clatter sound. If you place two of your fingers around the injector and bring your ear close to it, you'll feel it pulse and you'll ear it "TICK".
I'm not an engine expert, but its very obvious to me what my injectors
The way your talking, it sounds to me that something internal is going on.
Ps: I've never rebuilt an engine, so you should know more about injector and engine sounds then me :rolleyes:
