Ok I have an 1989 F-150 with a I6, and about 190k miles on the motor. I replaced the valve cover on it, and I guess I didn't get the back half on, so it was leaking oil, BADLY out the back. I was a re of tard and drove it. It devolped a knocked. It went though oil pretty bad. When I took it out it was pretty thin. But I have since changed the gasket, and oil. The knock isn't nearly as loud, but still there. Is there some way to fix it? It's killing me!

:shaking: Running on no oil probably damaged the internals in a bad way. you probably took a good bit of life out of that engine...and more than likely the bearings are almost toast. you could try running a heavier weight engine oil or an additive...It might help a little, but not a huge improvement, and its just going to mask the problem.

It never ran out of oil. I always kept a couple of quarts with me just because it leaked so much. I made sure that there was always oil in it. ...I defiantly have put this motor through hell though. You think if I put a high volume oil pump on it would help? Thanks

slap some new bearings in it


i bought an 89 with 175k and a bad knock above 2 grand and less than 5psi of oil pressure at idle

turns out the P.O replaced the oil pan gasket at some point...and never used a gasket when bolting th eoil pump back to the block...the lack of oil pressure over god knows how many miles wore the bearings out

SInce it was a 1600 dollar truck i yanked the motor, put all new gaskets, new timing gears and all new bearings and a water pump, ive put 11k miles on it since and it still doesnt knock....gets 15-17 mpg and fires up every day

Well it's not a horrible knock. Just I don't like it. I want it silent again. I know it's coming from the valve cover. I'm going to try some Sea Foam or something in hopes or maybe something was just stuck and still it.

do you think you might have a collapsed lifter?

are you sure its not lifter noise? thats prety common in a 4.9..

but in all reality, its a 300-6, refill it with 15-40, and don't worry about it for another 300K miles..

I guess it could always be that. But it never made any noises before this. That's what kills me. I will check into the lifter to see. Maybe that is it. But it's just really bothering me.

my 78 had an oil leak and ran a little low. and i replaced the oil and a few gaskets and the lifter went out right after i got it put back together

Hmm..I think it might be a combination of things. I went to check the oil, and it was kinda lumpy. I pulled the cap, and it had white stuff in it. I think water might be getting in the oil. So I am going to try and just replace the head gasket or something and hope for the best.

:laughing: you probaly have more problems than you want to know about.

You replaced the valve cover? Was the relacement identical to the original? Is maybe a rocker hitting a baffle in the valve cover? With the gasket as F'ed as you say you could be drawing moisture in past the gasket. That could bring the white gunky.

Well the oil isn't milky looking. Still black. Just when I opened the valve cap the cap had some white stuff in it. I can believe that it got some moisture in there because of the last gasket. But when I pulled the cover off, it still looked nice and black in there, no gunk or anything. Just oil on metal.

It is the factory valve cover. So I don't think it's hitting anything.

I'm open to any new idea's to try and trouble shoot though. So tell me how bad it is, or could be.

Your rocker arms are probably out of adjustment just a c-hair and hitting the end of the valves. I have 74 I6 in my 69 F-100 and i have to adjust every 3-5000 miles because of a light knocking sound just as you discribed. My 300-I6 has a milky colored substance when I open my valve cover cap too I don't worry about it these engines can take alot of shit and abuse.

1969 F-100, 300 I6, T-18, 9" rear
1977 F-250 Highboy, 351M, NP435 trans., NP205 Transfer case, HD 44 6CF front, HD 60 rear, hydro-assist, custom front bumper, 33x12.5x16.5 Mudrovers