engine ticking/clicking

[kajsdf]

my eagle has developed a ticking sound that i am reasonably certain is coming from the engine.  all belts appear to be aligned correctly and nothing else seems to be loose.  it is a light ticking/clicking noise and does not seem to favor any particular speed -- i have experienced it at idle, 35mph, 65mph, etc.  it is definitely tied to engine speed, as it is faster when running it higher rpms and slower at slower rpms.  i have asked around and i have heard ideas regarding pushrods and rocker arms.  next week i am replacing my plastic valve cover so this will give me a great opportunity to look for obvious damage -- is there anything that would be a dead giveaway as to the problem?  or any ideas i am overlooking?  thanks for the help...

[JayRamb]

How many miles does your Eagle have on it?
Do you know if it still has the original timing gear set? Those are nylon and they wear out, break off in pieces and can fail your engine miserably.

I had a ticking noise and it was coming from the timing cover. I borrowed a friends stethocope/mechanics. It was my timing chain hitting against the timing cover...slapping. Had it changed out and all is well. Some I-6's do have a little tick in the rocker arms too. Again, either the mechanics steth or changing out your plastic cover to an aluminum and see if the rockers are loose.

[kajsdf]

88k...was considering replacing all rocker arms just to be safe, but if it isn't necessary i will just tighten them...

chances are it's the original timing gear.  sound seems to be coming from the side closest to the interior of the car (firewall?? i don't know all tech terms yet...just getting into this)

thanks for your help

[txjeeptx]

Could be an exhaust leak between the manifold and head.

[Gil-SX4]

Can all so be a bad spark plug cable.

[Jurjen]

Or the fuel pump, to test it you can hold the fuel line and feel if ticking and pulsing is at the same moment. If the fuel pump is as old as the Eagle, you better replace it anyway.
They are not expensive @ $15.

[kajsdf]

Results are (somewhat) in...a couple arms were indeed more wiggly than others which would very likely explain the sound. tightened them as best i could to match up with the more stable ones.

I would also like to check the timing gear, where exactly is it located? I am still learning the ins and outs of the engine compartment...
I am also going to check the fuel line/pump just to be sure after everything is all put back together.

Also began drilling/tapping the holes for the new valve cover...while not as scary as i thought it was going to be, it is still exhaustive work...nearly 8 hours went into removing the cover and tapping one hole...

[Jurjen]

The timing gear is on the front side of the engine. The cover is diagonally behind the fan on the lower part of the engine. You can find it in the Eaglepedia too.

http://www.amceaglenest.com/~iowaeagl/guide/index.php?title=Section_11%2C_Engine_Components

Section 11.40.4

[GRONK]

Could be simple engine pinging if the timing is too far advanced.  My vote is eitehr that or exhaust leak.

[68AMXGOPAC]

Results are (somewhat) in...a couple arms were indeed more wiggly than others which would very likely explain the sound. tightened them as best i could to match up with the more stable ones.

I would also like to check the timing gear, where exactly is it located? I am still learning the ins and outs of the engine compartment...
I am also going to check the fuel line/pump just to be sure after everything is all put back together.

Also began drilling/tapping the holes for the new valve cover...while not as scary as i thought it was going to be, it is still exhaustive work...nearly 8 hours went into removing the cover and tapping one hole...

Just remember that there will NOT be the same pressure on them all,depending on the cam position on that push rod/lifter assembly or not.

[68AMXGOPAC]

gopak, our motors are HYDRAULIC lifters. there should ALWAYS be pressure on them. shouldnt ever be any slop between pushrods and rockers. if there is slack, and your rocker studs/bolts are tight, you have collapsed lifters, or a wiped out cam. our hydraulic lifters have a spring that pushes up on the pushrod. oil pressure fills up that area and keeps the spring from compressing. thats where hydraulic flat tappet motors get their rpm limits due to "valve float". the oil cant keep the lifters full, the springs collapse, and then your valves start opening late and irratically. my lifters were just wore out and collapsed.

True , Casper, and I was trying to figure out how to word my post correctly.Thanks man !! I do think - though- there is still a slight difference in pressure at the rocker arm depending on if that valve is at full lift compared to one at 0 lift , thus the feeler gauge setting spec. . LOL am I on the right track here ??

[kajsdf]

engine was quiet yesterday when i gave it a spin to make sure i put my valve cover on right...didn't go far, so we'll see.

also just got my tsm in the mail yesterday, so all options are valid and much more accessible at this point 

[skuhler]

Did your motor quiet down?  I'm thinking about replacing some lifters and bridged pivots with some from a junkyard, have you ever tried that?

[AMCLOVER258]

Shell Rotella T Keeps my 258 quiet unless shes under load.