Tapping Lifter - New Engine
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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Tapping Lifter - New Engine
I have a 400M with about 2800 miles on it. Ever since I had the motor built, there is a lifter that continues to tap, but it doesn't happen all the time. It usually happens when the truck is idling for more than a few minutes and it goes away once I start moving and the oil pressure comes up.
I did a search on the forum and found some info, but it didn't answer my specific question.
First, are these rockers arms adjustable? (400M, 2BBL stock heads with some work, Comp lifters, stock rockers) My machine shop says no, but a tech at the Ford house says yes. Of course, Ford is the one that told me my 11-digit VIN was invalid and that it needed to be 17 digits for my inspection sticker. I told him that if he really knew about Fords, he would know that they didn't use 17-digit VINs in the 70's. I got a dead stare on that one...
I also know that these motors are notorious for low oil pressure at idle. What can be done about that, besides putting in a new oil pump, which it has already?
Thanks for the suggestions.
I did a search on the forum and found some info, but it didn't answer my specific question.
First, are these rockers arms adjustable? (400M, 2BBL stock heads with some work, Comp lifters, stock rockers) My machine shop says no, but a tech at the Ford house says yes. Of course, Ford is the one that told me my 11-digit VIN was invalid and that it needed to be 17 digits for my inspection sticker. I told him that if he really knew about Fords, he would know that they didn't use 17-digit VINs in the 70's. I got a dead stare on that one...
I also know that these motors are notorious for low oil pressure at idle. What can be done about that, besides putting in a new oil pump, which it has already?
Thanks for the suggestions.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 867
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From: Eastern Pa
Did you use a hv pump? As far as the adjustment goes you can adjust the lifter preload with shims. Cranes sight has a tech article on how to which is what you need to undertand it. They sell shims in .020 and .030 I believe. They fit under the rocker stand. Not hard to do just a little bit of a pain cause you have to turn the engine through by hand bringing each rocker to where it's got clearance, that is the lifter is on the base of the cam lobe. If you don't get the adjustment within spec though, which is .020-.060, you could damage things, cause premature wear or at the very least lose performance.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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I did put in a HV Millings pump. I am not going to do this adjustment myself, I will probably have my machine shop do it. But I just wanted to know if these rockers were adjustable and get any suggestions from others.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,625
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From: Albuquerque
Longer and shorter push rods used to be available from Ford in .030 and .060 I believe. You need to determine the preload first.
Do you have an agressive cam? Some cams have very steep ramps and will tick.
Also what weight oil are you using and what kind of outside temperature where you live?
Do you have an agressive cam? Some cams have very steep ramps and will tick.
Also what weight oil are you using and what kind of outside temperature where you live?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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Cam is the Comp XE262H. Running 10W-30 right now for breaking the motor in. Gonna runs Amsoil next, but have not gone that route yet.
I am outside of Dallas and lately the temp has been in the high 70's but since I got the motor running and started driving the truck again in March, the temps have ranged from 30-80.
I am outside of Dallas and lately the temp has been in the high 70's but since I got the motor running and started driving the truck again in March, the temps have ranged from 30-80.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
The driver's side lifters get oil last. Can you tell if it is the drivers side that is ticking? I run 20W-50 in warmer weather, but I don't have any ticking, just low pressure at idle. With my cam, I can't tell anyway.
If 20W-50 doesn't fix it, you should get a bypass line.
If 20W-50 doesn't fix it, you should get a bypass line.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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I ran 20W-50 in my last engine. And I want to run that in this engine also, but my mechinic told me to run 30W for the first 500 miles, then change to whatever I wanted, which I did, but I wanted to keep a real oil in it for now before going to Synthetic.
I am not sure, but I believe that the tapping is coming from the passengers side....but I very well could be wrong about that. I can start running the heavier weight oil, no problem. What is a bypass line?
I am not sure, but I believe that the tapping is coming from the passengers side....but I very well could be wrong about that. I can start running the heavier weight oil, no problem. What is a bypass line?
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
A bypass line is simply an oil line that connects to the oil passage in front of the block (driver's side) by removing a plug. The other end 'tees' to the oil sending unit in the rear of the block. This takes oil from the front near the pump where the pressure is high and distributes it to the rear where it is low. The bypass line should supply enough oil to feed the lifters on the drivers side. You can purchase a kit, or you can make up your own bypass line.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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Sounds simple enough. Does this help with the low oil pressure at idle? I don't see how it would, unless somehow it jacks with the sending unit since it ties in close to it. But that seems to me like it would be a false reading.
I will lookup this part. Thanks for the info.
I will lookup this part. Thanks for the info.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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if it is a new motor with a hv pump there should be no reason for low oil pressure. i just installed a new cam, rod and main bearing and a hv oil pump with the bypass line with 20w-50 and am getting 90psi cold and 75 warm 65psi idleing
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: WA
Originally Posted by kc5hwb
What is a bypass line?
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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Well, to be perfectly honest, I do not know what the exact oil pressure is. When I first got the motor running, I had an oil gauge on it and it avg about 50psi. Up on exceleration to around 70 and down at idle around 30. Just an estimate. But I don't have that hooked up anymore because I took my whole dash out to build a custom one. I got brand new autometer gauges for it, but I have not finished fabricating the panel for them to go in.
I have just heard that these engines have tendancy to have low oil pressure at idle. I don't think mine really has that low, but I do get that tapping lifter every once in a while and it is just annoying. I thought that I could adjust to rocker arm to compensate, but from what I have heard here, that is only possible with shims.
I have just heard that these engines have tendancy to have low oil pressure at idle. I don't think mine really has that low, but I do get that tapping lifter every once in a while and it is just annoying. I thought that I could adjust to rocker arm to compensate, but from what I have heard here, that is only possible with shims.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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i made my own im into it about $30 dollars. we have a local hose shop and i bought 4' of the 5/16 hose it has a braided cloth outer layer, a 3/8 pipe thread fitting for the hose and a 1/4 pipe thread fitting a 5" galvinized nipple with a 45degree fitting, a 4" 3/8" nipple and a 3/8 galvinized union and a 1/4" tee and close nipple and there you have it a homemade bypass line