Valve Adjustment Needed...
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Valve Adjustment Needed...
1992 Ford F-150 with the 5.8. Noticed a ticking and took it to my shop and they say the valves need to be adjusted. Quite a pricey job based on the labor costs, the gaskets themselves are cheap. So, I have a couple of questions.
1) What bad things will happen if I put this off for an extended period? Any lasting engine damage?
2) Is this something a newbie mechanic could tackle without effing things up worse?
This is a new to me vehicle. I've ordered the shop & service manuals (on CD) and the Haynes. I'm not afraid of working on it, but I also don't want to get in way over my head on the first go.
Waiting for the manuals to get here, but if it is something I could do, what tools do I need in order to complete the job?
I have done work on Chevy engines in the past, but my ex-husband was always there or one of his car buddies to keep us out of trouble. ;-)
Thanks!
1) What bad things will happen if I put this off for an extended period? Any lasting engine damage?
2) Is this something a newbie mechanic could tackle without effing things up worse?
This is a new to me vehicle. I've ordered the shop & service manuals (on CD) and the Haynes. I'm not afraid of working on it, but I also don't want to get in way over my head on the first go.
Waiting for the manuals to get here, but if it is something I could do, what tools do I need in order to complete the job?
I have done work on Chevy engines in the past, but my ex-husband was always there or one of his car buddies to keep us out of trouble. ;-)
Thanks!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Diane.. don't ever go back to that garage, they are either completely clueless or they're just trying to rip you off because the valvetrain in these engines is not adjustable.
Now your ticking problem could be a sticking lifter, but it could also be an exhaust leak.. those two things actually sound pretty similar so you may have some further troubleshooting to do. Have you done an oil change since getting the truck? If not do that with a new filter and make sure you use 10w30 oil and not something lighter.
Now your ticking problem could be a sticking lifter, but it could also be an exhaust leak.. those two things actually sound pretty similar so you may have some further troubleshooting to do. Have you done an oil change since getting the truck? If not do that with a new filter and make sure you use 10w30 oil and not something lighter.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,698
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From: Mexico, Missouri
Conaski beat me to it. He's completely correct. Clueless mechanic or ripping you off.
Be sure and use a Motorcraft or WiX filter. Stay away from the Fram filters. Just Google "Orange Can of Death".
Be sure and use a Motorcraft or WiX filter. Stay away from the Fram filters. Just Google "Orange Can of Death".
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Thanks guys. I've gone to this shop for years but they've had some recent staff and management changes. My guys who knew me on sight are gone. 
They also got bought out by Meineke, so *shrug*. One of the guys went to search to verify if the valves were adjustable or not but appeared to come up with a yes. In fact, I called another shop and asked about costs and told them the year, make and model and they gave me a quote. WTF? Is this specific model year odd?
Haven't changed the oil yet but I will put that on the tasks for my next few days off and see if that fixes it.
The guy I got it from is pretty sure it has always had that tick, but since I'm going to be driving this out of cell coverage areas I wanted to make sure it was nothing that could leave me stranded.
I'm moving somewhere where doing anything I can do without a lift is going to be a necessity, so I wanted to start with it sound. ;-)
Fun drive, now if I can just track down a canopy for it. It will be perfect! ;-)
They also got bought out by Meineke, so *shrug*. One of the guys went to search to verify if the valves were adjustable or not but appeared to come up with a yes. In fact, I called another shop and asked about costs and told them the year, make and model and they gave me a quote. WTF? Is this specific model year odd? Haven't changed the oil yet but I will put that on the tasks for my next few days off and see if that fixes it.
The guy I got it from is pretty sure it has always had that tick, but since I'm going to be driving this out of cell coverage areas I wanted to make sure it was nothing that could leave me stranded.
I'm moving somewhere where doing anything I can do without a lift is going to be a necessity, so I wanted to start with it sound. ;-)
Fun drive, now if I can just track down a canopy for it. It will be perfect! ;-)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
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the mechanics in your area must be VERY hungry indeed.
the valve lifters are hydraulic ... no adjustment, as everyone else has said.
i bought my 5.8 with a tick 2 years ago ... turns out it is a minor exhaust leak and nothing to worry about . 2 years later it sounds the same . you may well have the same issue, these engines are known for it.
the valve lifters are hydraulic ... no adjustment, as everyone else has said.
i bought my 5.8 with a tick 2 years ago ... turns out it is a minor exhaust leak and nothing to worry about . 2 years later it sounds the same . you may well have the same issue, these engines are known for it.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Nope. These engines were designed in the '60's and have always had a non adjustable valvetrain.. despite having stud or pedestal mount rockers at different times, it's been that way right to the end of production around Y2k... no exceptions.
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Thanks again. Exhaust leak, I like the sound of that better. $800 to tighten a bolt seems a bit high. Of course it takes time to get to that bolt, but ...
My mom had a issue the other day with her car there so I guess we've lost our honest mechanics. *grumble*
What I need now is a mechanic mentor who can help me get out of trouble when I get myself into it. ;-)
Shop manuals should be here in a couple weeks. :-)
I appreciate how friendly everyone is being with the new girl on the block! :-)
Diana
My mom had a issue the other day with her car there so I guess we've lost our honest mechanics. *grumble*
What I need now is a mechanic mentor who can help me get out of trouble when I get myself into it. ;-)
Shop manuals should be here in a couple weeks. :-)
I appreciate how friendly everyone is being with the new girl on the block! :-)
Diana
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