Need timing help Ranger 99

[TONYCASH]

Have 99 4cyl auto Ford Ranger.Non inteference engine. Timing belt broke.Supposed to not be able to do any damage.OK...Guy comes to my house to replace belt and tensioner.Tries once and it wouldnt start,tried twice , wouldnt start.Third time it started right up but there is valve tapping that was never , ever there before.Now , from what I have read and heard , this type of engine(non inteference) cant hit pistons.Did he do something wrong ? Is it ,maybe still off ? he took me out and showed me that all 3 gears are lined up and it did start right up ??? Any knowledgeable help would be greatly appreciated. Heck , call me if you are familiar...330 330 0329.Going outside to see what he has to say.

[eurotiva]

Twin plugs? Distributorless ignition?

Check the plug wires and use a long screwdriver against you ear to try and pinpoint the tick.

[TONYCASH]

Yes , its a 4 cyl with 8 spark plugs.It never ticked before belt went.Am I right ,with this engine , that when it goes it doesn't hurt anything ? Also, his two failed attempts didnt/couldnt have hurt it ?

[sickfleming]

My Ranger had the same engine. After the mid to late 80's, they switched over to non-interference 2.3L.
When he was lining up the gears, did he seem to have to force anything to turn? In my Escort GT manual (also a non-interference engine), they mentioned that although there is clearance between the valves and the pistons, it isn't smart to force any of the gears to turn and back off when they seem to be in a bind, for some reason.

As for a small collision between the valves and pistons in your non-interference engine...I seriously doubt it. Unless it was from an older Ranger, but you have the dual spark plug engine, so that eliminates that possibility. My bet is that the timing might, just might, be off by a hair

[TONYCASH]

Im not sure if he had to force anything.Dont think so....Drove it las night.Seemed fine.Lifter/Valve noise is a lot less,but,havent started it this morning,yet.

[htchbck]

How long did it sit? I bet the noise you are hearing IS a partially collapsed lifter (from sitting) and the reason the noise is disappearing is that its pumping back up with oil now.