Just wondering if anyone has the same issue. At highway speeds, with my foot partially on the throttle (just enough to keep it moving, not accelerating), I have a loud tapping / ticking noise. I don't hear it under load, nor when coasting. It's a '90 extended cab, 3.0 with 259k on it.

Thanks!

 

How is your oil level?

 

Possibly a failing universal joint. As long as there is load on the joint (accelerating or engine braking) it doesn't rattle, but when basically transmitting little power it has enough play to make noise.

 

This may have been the problem. I seem to be going through two quarts of oil every 1k miles. This isn't making sense since I just did the rear main, there is no oil on the driveway, and my compression is high. Really trying to figure out where it is going. Since I replenished it, I haven't heard it. Although, I am not sure why it only happens when moving. Should happen even sitting still and revving the engine.

Hmmm, that could be as we'll. truck has 261k on it. Not sure if they were ever replaced. Original owner who had it for the first 20 years was a mechanic and did his own work on it. The second owner (who I bought it from) didn't have the records for it.

 

Could be leaking out of the valve cover gaskets and burning off on the exhaust.

 

If you do change the valve cover gaskets add some silicone in the corners. Around the cam caps where the valve covers seal. The corners dont seal too well unless you add the silicone. Then torque the bolts down to 10ft lbs. Should be good after that.

 

Do not use 10 ft lbs!!!!!! That is an incorrect torque for the cylinder head cover bolts!!!

On the 3vze 3.0l, the correct torque for the cylinder head cover bolts is 48 in-lbs. Yes, inch-lbs.

Per the FSM:
Install the cylinder head cover with the eleven bolts.
Uniformly tighten the bolts one side of the cylinder head cover in several passes, in the sequence shown, then do the other side as shown. Install the two cylinder head covers.
Torque: 5.4 N–m (55 kgf–cm, 48 in.–lbf)

 

I have mine at 10 ft lbs. 1/4 turn past snug since the shop that did my rebuild did that valve cover torque you mentioned left my engine leaking. Use a 1/4 inch ratchet and dont "rip" on the bolts.

 

Thanks guys!