Lifters and Intake Plenum Gasket Replacement Progress

[Saabonthis]

Well I've decided to attempt to fix my lifter ticking noise and in the process I'm updating the plenum gasket.So far I have removed the valve covers and intake manifold. My plenum gasket seemed okay, I did notice a bit of oil in the intake runners. I pulled the lifters that seemed to be ticking. Not sure if they were deflating or what exactly, I will be replacing them all.

So far here is my parts list. Let me know if there is anything else I should do while I'm in the process. I don't know if I need to replace plugs or the cap and rotor. Truck ran perfect and had no misfires, just the irritable ticking/rattling noise. FYI, the truck is a 98 1500 5.9 magnum with 99k on it.

Hughes Engines

Hughes Engines

Hughes Engines

Here are the pictures of the progress.









I was actually happy I only snapped one of the intake bolts...

 

[Saabonthis]

Just got my new lifters today. Here they are installed. I know they are not positioned correctly. I just put them in and took a picture quick. Hopefully, I will receive my intake plenum stuff tomorrow.

 

[Saabonthis]

I went with melling lifters as well

 

[Saabonthis]

I went with melling lifters as well

 

[Johnn123]

Lookin sharp so far

If I were you, I'd do a full tune-up, new front o2, new cat, new water pump and new double roller timing set while your in there. The stock "chain" likes to stretch over time. Why a 180? If you're not running a tuner that requires it its useless. 195 is what you should run stock.

 

[Johnn123]

Double post

 

[dodge dude94]

Agreed on the 180. Being in ND your PCM might puke a code for engine cold too long with that.

Granted, all the trouble you're going through, better off to run a tuner and HS 1.7rr's.

 

[Saabonthis]

No need for the cat/o2 or power steering pump to be replaced, all are just fine. Truck has 99k on it, I'd be more concerned about cap and rotor, plugs, wires, etc. Runs fine besides the collapsed lifter. Also, a 15 degree difference in thermostats won't cause much of a difference. Not likely to throw engine codes just because it's running a tad cooler. The water temperature already fluctuates a decent amount under normal driving (city/hwy).

My plenum gasket was fine as well, but I do know they are a known problem, so I'm just replacing while I'm in there.

As far as a tuner. Eh, not really needed unless I do more bolt ons. Maybe if I had headers, full exhaust, different intake manifold, etc. Tuners on a stock NA vehicle often show little gains, especially on the magnum motors. I only know this from fellow friends who had tried programmers (superchips and jet) on a stock truck. The difference in power wasn't noticeable besides the increase in shift pressure and shift points. And mpg often went down, but I'm pretty sure it's my friends driving habits

 

[Johnn123]

No need for the cat/o2 or power steering pump to be replaced, all are just fine. Truck has 99k on it, I'd be more concerned about cap and rotor, plugs, wires, etc. Runs fine besides the collapsed lifter. Also, a 15 degree difference in thermostats won't cause much of a difference. Not likely to throw engine codes just because it's running a tad cooler. The water temperature already fluctuates a decent amount under normal driving (city/hwy).

My plenum gasket was fine as well, but I do know they are a known problem, so I'm just replacing while I'm in there.

As far as a tuner. Eh, not really needed unless I do more bolt ons. Maybe if I had headers, full exhaust, different intake manifold, etc. Tuners on a stock NA vehicle often show little gains, especially on the magnum motors. I only know this from fellow friends who had tried programmers (superchips and jet) on a stock truck. The difference in power wasn't noticeable besides the increase in shift pressure and shift points. And mpg often went down, but I'm pretty sure it's my friends driving habits

Ehhh even if it was alright I'd still be checking the o2 anyways. They should be replaced after awhile at any rate and at 99K miles I'm sure your ready for a new one. If you didn't burn oil wouldn't worry about the cat then. I'd do the water pump if I were you, they go in these as well and your pretty well there already. Same for the timing set. Your missing what I'm saying on the thermostat. I'm saying unless you already had a tuner which requires it, you have no need to run a 180. Its not beneficial on a stock truck. You will get a code from the colder temperature. My 2 cents.

 

[dodge dude94]

O2 sensors are to be replaced every 75-100k mi. So just because the truck only has 99k doesn't mean you shouldn't replace them. If anything, replace the pre-cat O2.

As for the tuners....LMAO

A good tuner, SCT by Hemifever, removes the torque management and his tunes add up to 30 lb ft of torque on a STOCK engine. You don't know how many stories I've heard from people that were shocked when they floored it and the back tires came around on them.

 

[Johnn123]

O2 sensors are to be replaced every 75-100k mi. So just because the truck only has 99k doesn't mean you shouldn't replace them. If anything, replace the pre-cat O2.

As for the tuners....LMAO

A good tuner, SCT by Hemifever, removes the torque management and his tunes add up to 30 lb ft of torque on a STOCK engine. You don't know how many stories I've heard from people that were shocked when they floored it and the back tires came around on them.

Thats the o2 I was reffering too

Yupp SCT was the best thing I ever did to my truck after the plenum fix
Was definitely felt by the butt-o-meter! Btw you forgot it removes the death flash

 

[dodge dude94]

Thats the o2 I was reffering too

Yupp SCT was the best thing I ever did to my truck after the plenum fix
Was definitely felt by the butt-o-meter! Btw you forgot it removes the death flash

Only removes the death flash if he has it. He's got a 98. Didn't come from the factory on 98s.

 

[Johnn123]

Only removes the death flash if he has it. He's got a 98. Didn't come from the factory on 98s.

True, but could have been dealer flashed at some point.

 

[dodge dude94]

True, but could have been dealer flashed at some point.

Would have to have a sticker on the PCM or by the VECI label on the radiator support.

 

[Saabonthis]

The rest of my parts come in today. Will be posting more photos of the project.

Sorry John, I thought I had read power steering pump in your post. Water pump would be a good think to check as well.

As far as the thermostat goes, it will be fine. I've done this several times before on half a dozen makes and models. I do understand it could be bad, but the change I'm going isn't drastic. Like I said, the temperature already varies during driving (hwy/cty/outside temp) Just because it has 180 degree stat, doesn't mean the coolant can not exceed that temperature. One of my scan tools I used to monitor certain engine perimeters can confirm that as well. My mustang has a 180 degree stat but often in city driving in hot weather nearly exceed 195 (not faulty either). I do understand if the coolant doesn't reach a certain temperature, it can cause things not to trigger like they should and make the engine run as if it were still cold even when it is hot. I appreciate your input though.

Tuners again, I see no real benefit on a stock vehicle. The only difference I felt in my buddies truck with a jet performance tune was the shift points and shift pressure. It made it feel like it had more power, but it's easy to fool the butt when dealing with shifting points/pressure. I'm not trying to say there isn't any increase in hp or tq, but the gain vs cost ratio for me, isn't worth it. But I defiantly would get a tuner as soon as the truck had more done to it. Haven't decided if I want to do anything to it performance wise. Probably just exhaust and intake. I have another toy for performance, don't need another haha!

 

[Saabonthis]

Would have to have a sticker on the PCM or by the VECI label on the radiator support.

I don't believe mine has been flashed. My 97 ram I used to have, did have the dealer sticker stating it's been flashed. Not my 98 though.

 

[dodge dude94]

I don't believe mine has been flashed. My 97 ram I used to have, did have the dealer sticker stating it's been flashed. Not my 98 though.

Likely true. My 98 doesn't have one either. But the torque management is still there.

 

[Saabonthis]

It runs again! I have only ran it for about 10 minutes, has some lifter noise but I know it takes a little while for the lifters to pump up. Gave myself a good scare on a test drive though. Was coming back around my block and gave it a little more throttle then popped and died. Wouldn't start, just cranked. After taking a quick look I saw the plugin for the coil jumped off. Didn't have it all the way clipped in. Defiantly gave me a good scare haha!

Here are some pictures of the progress.

 

[Merc225hp]

Deathflash 98 and up all have it, there will be no sticker saying such as it came from the factory that way. Op if you think getting a SCT tuner is a waste of time, spend sometime reading about it, talk to some that have used one. The Jet chip is a pos not worth a penny as the stock pcm over rides it soon after it's installed. You may or may not get a cel with the 180 stat but you will be a little fat fuel wise, thats what it does to these trucks.

Nice work by the way.

Edit: DD94 and Johnn123 both know what they are talking about.

 

[dodge dude94]

Deathflash 98 and up all have it, there will be no sticker saying such as it came from the factory that way. Op if you think getting a SCT tuner is a waste of time, spend sometime reading about it, talk to some that have used one. The Jet chip is a pos not worth a penny as the stock pcm over rides it soon after it's installed. You may or may not get a cel with the 180 stat but you will be a little fat fuel wise, thats what it does to these trucks.

Nice work by the way.

Edit: DD94 and Johnn123 both know what they are talking about.

I was always under the impression that 00+ had it.

Makes me wish I had bought that cheap SC tuner before.