Noisy 3.5

[xstriple]

Well that was another bloody waste of time.

Trying to cure (supposedly) noisy lifter/rocker problem, new lifters, rockers and shafts,, still the same .

Next, I know there's little to no cam retention other than chain tension. I have noticed it's a new timing set (alloy aftermarket I suspect).
I spose the next thing is to re-check that.

Damn money pit.
Not happy Jan

[Mick_Marsh]

Money pit!
Trade it in on an old Merc. Money pit by orders of magnitude.
There is another recent thread on a noisy 3.5 somewhere on here. Find that an have a read.
I recently changed oil in mine to 10W-50 semi synthetic. The main noticeable difference it made was it became rattly at idle. What oil are you running and when did you last change it?

[xstriple]

Money pit!
Trade it in on an old Merc. Money pit by orders of magnitude.
There is another recent thread on a noisy 3.5 somewhere on here. Find that an have a read.
I recently changed oil in mine to 10W-50 semi synthetic. The main noticeable difference it made was it became rattly at idle. What oil are you running and when did you last change it?

Nah, it's not an oil issue Mick, new and heavier.
I suspect the timing gear/chain.

[xstriple]

Can anyone tell me what year D1 they started putting camshaft retaining plates in?
Or anyone with a buggered 3.9 I could nick one from?

[BigJon]

Or anyone with a buggered 3.9 I could nick one from?

I might have one, will check for you.

[xstriple]

Gidday John, I find myself in Adelaide and was wondering if you happenned across a camm retaining plate in your travels?
Cheers, Chris

[PhilipA]

AFAIR you need to have a camshaft with a machined front surface for a cam retaining plate. Most don't.
The answer for a 3.5 is usually a cam teflon button that screws in the thread at the end of the cam and you trial fit until you have a small clearance.

IMHO if you have a new cam that has correct slope on the lobes you do not need a button or plate, but maybe an aftermarket cam has been made without the correct slope for lifter rotation.
Regards Philip A

[bee utey]

I had a look at my spare 3.9 block and it doesn't run a cam retainer plate. I suspect its only fitted to serpentine belt engines as on all the earlier engines the load of the oil pump drive should keep the cam firmly against the block.

[bee utey]

I have stripped the front off a stuffed 4.0 and it has a cam retainer plate but the cam front section is very different. No way it would fit a stock 3.5. Do the button on the front trick if you need end float control.

[loanrangie]

I wasnt aware the rover V8 used a retainer of any kind, i do know Buick used a teflon/nylon button with a spring that ran on the back of the timing cover.