1986 B2 2.9l v-6. 165000 miles. As long as I run flat slow & easy, no problems. When I go up the hill to work (about 9 miles and a climb of 1000 feet, a valve lifter noise starts. It is really lound. If I drive easy (no heavy accelleration or climbing) the noise eventually goes away. If I run hard again, the valve lifter noise returns.

Is this really a lifter problem? Is it an oil pressure problem? I know I have to take off the heads to do the lifters. What else should I go ahead and do since I have to take the heads off anyway? Should I replace the cam? The timing chain and sprockets? The water pump is only 9 months old.

 

I found this info today. Has anyone seen this particular problem with the 2.9l oil pumps / screens? I have been told that to get at the oil pump on the 2.9l, you have to remove the distributor and the motor mounts and lift the engine to get the pan off to get at the pump. Is this true?

Here is the oil pump info:

NOISY LITTLE FORD

AERA members have reported lifter noise on 1986-92 Ford 2.9L
VIN T & V engines. This noise has been observed after the
engine’s oil pickup screen has been reassembled to the engine.
This noise is best heard after the engine has reached operating
temperatures. When the engine is allowed to remain off overnight,
no noise is present after initial restart. The noise, however, will
reappear as the engine warms.

The cause of this noise results from air entering the pressurized
engine oiling system through the mating surfaces of the oil pump
and oil pump pickup tube screen. Apparently, excessive torque on
any of the three 6mm mounting bolts for the pickup screen may
cause the mounting gasket to fracture. If that occurs, an air
passage may exist through the paper gasket and allow the oil
supply to become aerated.

The mounting bolts for the oil pump screen requires only minimal
torque of 80-115 in/lbs. The bolt quality will accept overtorque
without damaging the bolt, so extreme caution must be taken
while installing these three bolts.

Currently, at least one aftermarket oil pump supplier is including
this warning in their packaging for this oil pump.

 

my answer to what else should be done if your pulling the heads off is ....do as much as you can at that many miles the whole motor prolly needs a good rebuild and to definatly answer the part on the oil pump yes yes yes i had my oil pump replaced a few months back and was told its a real P.I.T.A i tried doing it myslef but was unable to get the motor up high enuf to remove the oil pan. in fact the guy that did mine dropped the front end cuz he was afraid of snapping off exaust manifold bolts as they are so rusty. ive read in past posts that people are just replacing the 2.9 with the 4.0 i beleive it was. man id love to but just not right now. the old b2s are great trucks when they run right but sure are expensive to repair. anyhow thats my 2 cents on the issue