ive got an 88 2.3 liter fuel injected ranger,the problem is a
tick in the engine at around 2500 rpm ive eliminated any chance of exhaust rattle (replaced entire exhaust system with new manifold pipes and a dual outlet flowmaster with pipes exiting behind rear wheels)the noise only appears when im at highway cruise speed.never seems to increase with engine rpm either, but sounds like a valve rattle .any ideas?its runs very well and has no other probs but does have 160,000 mile + or- ill try anything .....almost. thanks

 

I narrowed mine down to valve clatter because of worn/stretched timing belt under load. I've babied my truck but never changed the t-belt, I'm halfway through the job but the belt was definately the problem.