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developed a nasty shuddering sound, only when warm, put screw driver to drivers side valve cover and I hear a tapping/pinging noise, doesnt do it when cold however just later when warmed up ( after about 10 miles) normal driving makes no issues , just at idle, opinions ??/ 87 f-250 6.9
It could be a collapsed or weak hydraulic lifter. If it is tapping the rocker tip and valve tip will look " hammered". However those symptoms could also be a clogged or "stuck" fuel injector. With it running try cracking them loose one at a time and see if the knock goes away.
Edit: pulling the valve cover may help you find the problem, but you won't be able to see the valve tip and rocker tip without removing the rockers. Be prepared to do that if need be. Get the torque specs handy etc. If a lifter is bad, you can replace it without pulling the head, but it is involved. The injection pump must be removed (without disturbing the timing gears if you didn't know) and the intake manifold and valley pan come off. Hope that helps.
I do not think it is a hydraulic lifter as those are noisy when cold mainly, either the injector is strange as it usually makes noise when cold, could be dripping, but happened on one car I had, the valve sticking when warm. I do not know if it is a myth but many guys here in europe fight sticking valves on these engines. At least that is what they say. It was strange but that was the case. Also the noise and tapping distributes on the engine, could be the piston pin and even the connecting rod journal bearing. Also had a car with similar sign, and the case was too low oil presure when hot, it tapped only on idle, other than that it was fine. Crack the injector and see if it stops, however if it is a sticking valve, it will stop also as the cylinder is not firing, and if it is a piston pin or connecting rod bearing it will stop also.
smoking even when cold? So i would take out the injector and try to switch him to the other side of engine and see if the tappering goes with it or not. The easiest way to check.