vmax84

Ok, finally got the intereior of my 89 runner back together. Really looks sweet with a cd player, equalizer, two amps, and 9 speakers total. No kidding, really turned out nice and sounds kick a$$!!! I'll post interior pics once I get to a computer with cable modem, but for now, I need your help on the engine, which I'm starting into now.

This engine actually runs real good, but it's noisy. Check out the pic and you'll see why. The number 3 and 3 exhaust rockers are black and gooey, and the camshaft lobes have lost their "shiney" parts in this area as well. I drove this thing from Texas to Michigan like this last June, so I guess it says something how tough these engines are!!

I have another camshaft ready to go (a used one I picked up cheap), and a spare rocker assembly I picked up cheap as well. Think I can swap these two components out and be good to go?

Check out the pic and let me know what you think. Pic might be a tad bit big.

Thanks.

vmax84

^VooDoo^

Have you done a compression test, If ither valve is burnt then your wasting you time.
I have always stayed away from used cams for my own reasons but if the lobes look good, go for it.

vmax84

I need to do another compression test, since I bunged it up the first time. Engine starts easily, idles nice, and runs nice. Decent power for a 4 cylinder. If the engine wasn't so noisy, I'd think I had a pretty good little motor here. But I'm sure the noise is coming from the wore out lobes on the back cylinders.

vmax84

vmax84

What would cause those back two exhaust rockers to get all black and gooey like that? Thanks.

vmax84

scrid

Looks like heat 2 me. However I agree a compression test will reveal more info. Are the lobes worn down and all scratched up on those two valves? If so thats where the noise is coming from with the excessive slop however. There should be metal particulates in the oil. have you drained and strained it?

vmax84

The shiney stuff is worn off in spots on those back lobes. I think the truck was used to haul an Airstream camper before I got it. Still runs good (made it back from Texas to Michigan with it like that........and a little STP!), but I think I'm just gonna bite the bullet, pull the head, and take it to my local machine shop.

Thanks.

vmax84