Delta Cams Rocker Arms for 4.0 OHV?

Vincenthdfan · #1 10-25-2018, 08:48 AM

Hello all,

My little 93 XLT 4.0 4x4 5 speed is running great these days.

I've put a new heater core in it, new water pump, and thermostat.

I've since discovered I have an external coolant leak on front passenger side of the motor so I'm getting ready to do a lower intake manifold gasket.

This is just as well since my valve covers leak like sieves anyway.

While I'm in there, I was thinking about doing the Delta Cams heat treated rocker arms and a new set of Sealed Power push rods.

I have the usual valve train ticking noise since I have about 154,000 miles on the motor.

Delta Cams is actually right up the road from me and even though they have no parts on the shelf, they say they can take my parts and treat them and turn them back to me in about 3 days.

My question is....

Has anyone out there used (or heard of anyone who used?) their rocker arms and have they held up well for them?

Reason I ask is there is one gentleman on the Explorer forum that had a bad experience with a set and he is willing to tell anyone and everyone who will listen about it.

I'm trying to figure out if his was an isolated incident or does the heat treating (and cup insertion) process create an issue?

Vincenthdfan · #2 10-26-2018, 02:07 PM

Hmmm...nobody?

I guess either everyone just lives with the tick or replaces with same parts all over again?

I'm not real keen on doing that because they're just gonna wear back down again, my thinking anyway?

JAMMANICA · #3 10-26-2018, 05:13 PM

IMO if they wear back down in another 154,000 miles you did real good.

Your ticking most likely isn't caused by your rockers, lifters or push rods. It's probably caused by inadequate lubrication due to crap in the oil passages in several places. If you owned the truck since new and did frequent oil changes till they perfected synthetic oil then this isn't the case and I apologize. Unfortunately most of us are victims of previous owners when it comes to ranger problems.

Delta cams has been around for a while (looks like 03 or 04) and I had not heard of them till your posting. This probably means they are good enough to be in business but not phenomenal. I bet they have a decent product but they do weld and re grind cams (if I read correctly) and we have had this done at work from a place called North Coast. The cams never last as long when welded and re ground so it is a questionable practice at best.

I would go with the OE but if it doesn't last then you have an oiling problem elsewhere.

Jim

Undrstm8ed · #4 10-26-2018, 08:01 PM

Not sure what you're really looking for in power (?) but the 4.0L OHV, although besting its two lesser litre brothers isnt a high revving engine nor is it really meant to be.

To some degree you really have to take the OHV and older Rangers in general as what they are. Treat them like a crazy ex that you always go back to when the running is dry because despite being crazy, you know exactly what your dealing with.

Its not a fast truck but its not a slow one either. Do the basics of uncorking it, K&N in OEM airbox (yea yea.. bring the arguments) Do an exhaust on it to open the bottom. Keep all your suspension, tires, fluids, up to par or better. Consider re gearing, make use of ALL the TQ and HP you do have. I promise you the truck will shine and surprise you when it can but the very least it'll be a dependable good truck and those are the elements to work with.

Otherwise, its just the wrong platform of vehicle without dumping shitloads of funds in serious power adders or an engine swap thought process which of course to some extent dwindle reliability and durability in some cases.

there are a few exceptions to the rule but for many of us seeing things like this topic for years if not a decade or more, falls short.

keep us up on your plans, always can use inspiration here.

Vincenthdfan · #5 10-27-2018, 09:44 AM

No, not looking at power upgrades at all (love the lil V-6 4.0 ohv just the way it is)...just valve train upgrades for reliability purposes.

Delta offers hardened rockers with hardened inserts in the push rod sockets to prevent the metal wear from inferior splash lubrication.

I have however re-read the gentleman's post on the Exploder page again and I can see his point.

The inserts that Delta puts in the rockers have smaller oiling holes, which will likely contribute further to wear....that and he had a hardened rocker end literally break off, jamming his valve open.

After reading that and Jammanica's post above, I can kinda see the point.

If I get 100,000 or more back outta the valve train without tell tale valve train noise I'll be happy with that.

It's just the anal preventative maintenance 30 year Aircraft Mechanic in me that tends to make me try to make things last longer by upgrading...I HATE doing stuff twice!

Anyway, I believe I have resigned myself to just use Sealed Power rockers and pushrods and get another 100,000 out of it.

Almost the same cost, no risk of shoddy parts...yeah, I can live with that.

JAMMANICA · #6 10-27-2018, 03:36 PM

Sealed power, I recognize that name!

I too am a big fan of the push rod version 4.0. Too many moving parts in the "upgrade" plus there were a few other errors IMO especially the thermostat housing.

Good luck and make sure to update as things happen.