I have a 1993 pickup with the 3vze. I replaced the head gaskets and every other gasket above them. I also adjusted the valves. The engine made a ticking noise before the valve adjustment and still ticks. I have decent power and acceleration. I am getting about 17 mpg. I can feel and hear the FPR ticking but the main ticking is coming from somewhere else. It doesn't sound like it's an exhaust leak...
The ticking isn't as sharp when I am accelerating. It is louder when cruising and fairly pronounced when idling. Seems to come mostly from the drivers side of the motor. The engine and truck have 270,000 miles on them.

In addition to the ticking, the engine seems to just be loud overall. I don't know how to explain it exactly. It is completely stock, just sounds different than other 3vze's that I have heard.

Also, the ticking gets louder as the engine gets warmer. Sounds the best when cold.

Is there anything else that could make this noise? Please, any info would be appreciated!

 

Man, honestly it sounds like a 3vze to me. If you've heard quieter ones, I'll bet the valves were stretch and out of adjustment. But really, a tappy motor is a happy motor, when it comes to the 3vze.

If it runs good, don't mess with it.

 

My 3vze gets 20-21 mpg, is nearly mint, and STILL ticks. Unless you're down on power or have garbage mileage, don't mess with it. Just the 3vze!

 

17mpg is still outstanding for the 3vze. I got 14-15 around town in stop and go traffic. 20 is almost unreal for a 3vze, so don't think your gas mileage is bad, OP.

 

Ok I just needed a little reassurance I suppose. Thanks! One other thing, when I pull up to a stop, my idle dips to almost dying and then goes back up to normal. Is this a throttle body issue? Didn't do it before I took the throttle body/air intake off.

 

That's not normal. There's probably a vacuum leak somewhere in the mile of vacuum lines. Or a crack in the bend of the throttle body to silencer boot.

 

I think it is a crack in part of the intake tube. Thanks!

 

Might be worth checking your spark plugs too. Make sure they're seated all the way.

 

That almost seems like it could be the problem (if I'm lucky). Seems like the right frequency as if one plug were loose.

 

Also, though you may know 100% its the valves but I had a ticking also and it was the P/S Pump... To test i took the belt off and started the engine... Tick was gone... jejeje