To me it seems a little low to me and that could be because the bottom end is worn. Yes your dad is a smart man, however better pressure and less fluctuation is always better at RPM's.

Most of that "ticking" is normal for that year and motor which is a 5.2L or 5.9L. They always "tick" a little and it could be octane related. I would encourage you to get a better octane fuel and may even try a different filling station. I really like Chevron but each to their own.

If you are using a lower quality gasoline it can cause "Pre-Ignition" also known as "Ping" which is not a good thing.

You also could have a "Plenum Leak" or "Intake Manifold Leak", this occurs when the intake manifold leaks from the access plate at the bottom of the intake manifold. You would use abnormal amounts of oil if this were the case. Oil gets sucked into the intake and burned but usually doesn't smoke from the exhaust because it's atomized.

Replace the spark plugs. Get only cheap Champion Copper spark plugs and install them gapped at .040, it will help many things across the board.

Also clean out the Throttle Body by removing it and cleaning the whole thing with 2 cans of Throttle Body cleaner and an old tooth brush. Clean out every orifice and get a can of Sea Foam fuel additive and run it in the tank.


If I were you I would first start with better fuel. There are plenty of topics in here that could aid you as well: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...wers-faqs.html


BTWß Welcome to the forum!

 

As usual +1 to everything Hydra said (except I like shell gas ). A little bit of faint ticking from the top end is normal, but there shouldn't be any from the bottom end. You shouldn't be able to hear the ticking from inside though.

Here's a video I made of my exhaust. For part of it I had the camera under the hood and you can hear the faint ticking that is normal.

 

It only ticks when you push gas you let off it stops. Just did another oil change and put lucas in it but now it does it when its cold. I dont know what to do bout to just sell the thing.

 

It depends on how it's ticking. Lucas was a waste of money...IMHO....In fact if you read the owners manual it clearly states not to add additives, besides they are unregulated so they can put anything in those bottles and sell it to you....Buyer be ware!

Try the fuel first.

 

Just do a higher octane

 

Its a clicking noise but it only does it sometimes. The guy at advance auto told me its suppose to have synthetic oil in it would that have anything to do with it? Sorry im lost on this. Im trying to do this on my own but everything i try just wont help it. I wonder if its just too far gone to help it. I cant afford to get a new motor. Ill try the gas thing today and see if that helps. I dont wanna sell it if its sometbing simple

 

And it doesnt click unless its in gear. When its in park it sounds great no clicking or ticking noise

 

Synthetic oil is not what these things come from the factory with. Especially back in 1997-1998. The guy at Advance Auto that you talked to is just trying to walk you into buying something you don't need. Punch him in the throat.