random knocking / tapping

[Jimbo92]

ive got a 97 sohc with a strange problem. Occasionaly when you start the truck it has a horrible knocking sound. usually it goes away on its own after a few seconds. Sometimes when you start the truck it does not do it at all. However last night i did it and it persisted, i tried revving the truck and it continued. I shut it off and restarted and it kept doing it 3 times. At this point i assumed the motor was trash and decided to try 1 more time. On the
4th try is started up and was a quiet as can be like nothing had ever happened. Has anybody experienced this problem before?

 

[Fordman4eva]

Sounds to me like the infamous timing chain tensionser issue. My '97 is doing the exact thing you described....I called my local Ford service dept recently concerning this and he estimated $2,500 to repair both the front and rear tensioner problems. Luckily I have another resource to get the same job done for $800 hoping to be able to hold out until after the holiday season to have it done. Good luck...