I have 3 questions:

1) Where is the casting number located on the heads on a 2.9 and what should they be ? I'm thinking they're under the valve covers.

2) Will a 1989 set of heads fit on a 1986 if they are the same engine but not the same casting number ?

3) What causes a bad shake/vibration when the wheels are turning ? It just started this after leaving a friends house and does it while in neutral and coasting. It is a 1986 2.9 auto w/OD
I checked the u-joints and wheels for play and there is none. The carrier bearing moves side to side about a half inch.

Thanks !

 

The shimmy can be as simple as mud or ice froze in the wheels. I have personally expierenced this.

 

Thanks. I wish it was that simple.
This happened on a clear day in southern California at 67 degrees and again this morning when I moved it in the driveway.

 

well any set of 2.9 heads from a ranger or a B2 should work. I geussing your going junk yard diving. So he best deal is always to check around and found a good deal and in alot of cases they offer a disscount if you pull it yourself and you can check it of problems before you pay for it. Also if yo uhave something like a grant stearing wheel with the enstention is has on the kit makes what use to be small play alot larger. also check you tire air and try to match the psi in both. sometimes exstreams in psi can casue some play.

 

when did you have the wheels balanced and front end aligned last?

 

Good suggestions. I've ruled out alignment and tire pressure, u-joints, front bearings and all lugs are tight. I don't think it is the trans as it does it while coasting. I dunno if it could be the rear end or carrier bearing. This shakes the whole truck but does not move the steering wheel. I'm thinking of going to pick-a-part and buy a carrier bearing and replace it.

I picked up an engine that is supposed to have good heads on it. They look like cast iron and have a number stamped into them of C8S1A. I don't know if that is a 2.9 for sure. The only number I could find was 86TM when I did a search.

 

I raised the right rear wheel off the ground and the only thing I could hear making noise when I spun the driveshaft or wheel by hand was the carrier bearing assembly. No noises came from the direction of the rear end. I am on an incline so I couldn't start it.

Does anyone know where I can find a list of casting numbers ? This engine is a 1989 and is supposed to be a 2.9, has casting numbers on it of 89 and C8S1a and appears to be cast iron instead of aluminum. Hmmm, does that mean I don't have to buy new head bolts ?

 

All 2.9 heads a cast iron and are interchangable, the 89 casting number is the SLIGHTLY better Ford head but they still crack.

 

All cast iron ? Huh. I wonder how I got it into my pea brain that it was aluminum and that was why it cracked so easily. I did finally find a site that showed where the number should be but I have only found 1 number (86tm) and that's not what's on these heads. So far I haven't matched those numbers up yet or pulled mine yet.
I'm working on the shimmy 1st because if it is the rearend this truck is toast.

 

you said all the bolt son the tires are tight, but did you bolt the tires on in the proper way? have you cross threaded the bolts?

 

Lugs were the 1st thing I thought of, they're all tight. I have not had them off since I bought it in June.
I did call Ford today and they couldn't tell me what motor those heads are on or where the heads came from. Right where they should be marked 86TM they are marked C8S1A, with 89 in the middle, and FORD at the other end under the valve cover. Ford said they might be rebuilds.
The block number (89TM 6015AA) didn't cross reference either.

 

Fix that carrier bearing if it's making noise. Drain and fill the rear diff and check the insides out. All your steering components nice and tight? Alignment?

 

Everything chassis wise was fine until it just started shuddering. It handled great.
I am preparing to change the heads but the engine isn't causing this.

 

well there isn't many companies that make new castings for 2.9s so look around and call for the number. If you know where they come from it will help you fi gure out anything you want to know about them and there position.

 

Sorry I didn't read where you where from. Bad tire maybe. Most carrier bearings are mounted in rubber and have some flex in them. They usually make noise before they go completely out and start slipping in the rubber mount.