Well I got it up and running again. I drained the coolant to check that and it had some rust color so I flushed the radiator and switched out the ThermaStat because the jeep had been running cold and the upper radiator hose was bloated and needed replacing so I figured why not.... had to replace the petcock valve because the original one was clogged and didn't drain.
Upgraded to the TFI ignition, added a new Ford F350 coil, 8mm wires and champion plugs gapped at .045.
started her up and still here the tap... so I'm guessing it internal at this point. I thought it was a lifter but there was zero play in the rockers. I know its cylinder 1 and its in the head but short of taking off the head, rebuilding and or replacing it there is not much more I know I can do.
I ran out of time to do the compression test. (it got real cold last night and that plastic tarped garage was feeling more like a freezer.)
I'm going to try and find time to do the compression test in the next two weeks.
Recap of what I found..
I found oil the in the Air filter housing and the air filter definitely needs replacing, i'll be getting one tomorrow. the air filter wasn't soggy but it was dirty and the oil I found was in the housing itself not in the filter.
I found oil on the spark plugs... I know this means more than likely those piston rings have worn away which is the main cause for this and the combined Blow by I'm seeing confirms this. I've attached the pic of the plugs. They look fairly old.
All spark plugs.jpg
Left driver side.jpg
Right pessanger side.jpg
I am at a cross roads now.... do I drive this thing till it can't drive anymore or do I need to plan to replace this engine sooner over later.
This is where I need help... from more experienced owners. I know that nothing is certain, but is this something I can nurse along for awhile? I'm going to change the oil in the next two weeks and replace with heavier weighted oil and Lucas heavy oil stabilizer to see if I can reduce the tapping sound.
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