• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

BBK Intake Noise after upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter neakypete
  • Start date Start date May 20, 2010
N

neakypete

New Member
Apr 13, 2010
3
0
0
Michigan
May 20, 2010
#1
  • May 20, 2010
  • #1
Hi guys, this is my first post to the forums so I apologize in advance if this it the wrong place for this question.

I just recently put an upper and lower BBK intake on my 89 GT 5.0. While I had it torn down I also put in new plugs, MSD ignition and distributor and MSD plug wires. I have the BBK 70mm throttle body and cold air intake in the boxes ready to go but ran into this issue.

After completing the intake install, I started the car and even though the timing is clearly off by a degree or so, I have a nasty ticking sound. The only thing I can compare it to is loud lifter tick. It follows the RPM curve so that if you rev the motor, the ticking accelerates as well. I'm pretty baffled as to what could be causing this ticking since I only did the lower\upper intake. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what may be causing this noise? The car has sat in my garage while I did this for about 5-6 weeks.
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
May 20, 2010
#2
  • May 20, 2010
  • #2
Is it the SSI?

If so you need to check for a fuel leak. If you don't have a fuel leak, take a can of carb cleaner and spray around the intake. If the tick disappears for a second or two, you sprayed the leak.

I went through HELL with mine.

Does it have a crossover tube for the fuel?
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
May 20, 2010
#3
  • May 20, 2010
  • #3
WAIT-

Dude the rockers and stuff will tick with the timing off. It'll sputter and sound like ass til you get that right.
 

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 20, 2010
#4
  • May 20, 2010
  • #4
Strype said:
WAIT-

Dude the rockers and stuff will tick with the timing off. It'll sputter and sound like ass til you get that right.
Click to expand...

Yes, this. Check the OIL PRESSURE, a lack of pressure will cause a tick. Like you are describing.
 
N

neakypete

New Member
Apr 13, 2010
3
0
0
Michigan
May 20, 2010
#5
  • May 20, 2010
  • #5
Yes it is an SSI. I did some pretty extensive checking for a fuel leak prior to putting the upper on because the new fuel rail assembly seems prone to cut the o-rings as you're sliding the injectors into place and I had a few leaks. I checked and checked and re-checked for fuel.

Oil pressure is what I was thinking about too. How in the world do I check the oil pressure?
 

f8tlfiveo

My wife likes my spool and blow-off valve.
Aug 8, 2007
1,585
102
64
Lancaster, PA
May 20, 2010
#6
  • May 20, 2010
  • #6
I think injectors have been known to make ticking sounds
 
B

BYRDPE

Founding Member
Nov 4, 1998
1,556
0
37
Memphis,Tn.
May 20, 2010
#7
  • May 20, 2010
  • #7
do yourself a favor and take that junk intake off and throw it in the scrap bin where it belongs.
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
May 20, 2010
#8
  • May 20, 2010
  • #8
neakypete said:
Yes it is an SSI. I did some pretty extensive checking for a fuel leak prior to putting the upper on because the new fuel rail assembly seems prone to cut the o-rings as you're sliding the injectors into place and I had a few leaks. I checked and checked and re-checked for fuel.

Oil pressure is what I was thinking about too. How in the world do I check the oil pressure?
Click to expand...

By a guage at autozone. The oil sending unit is beside the oil filter, sorta. Time that car tho


BYRDPE said:
do yourself a favor and take that junk intake off and throw it in the scrap bin where it belongs.
Click to expand...

:Word:

Came aweful close to doing that myself. Man I had to take that tube out, block the holes in the rails, and get a mechanic's shop to run braided hose out the back of the fuel rails.

Don't get me started on the ____________ injectors leaking. Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
 
N

neakypete

New Member
Apr 13, 2010
3
0
0
Michigan
May 20, 2010
#9
  • May 20, 2010
  • #9
What I did to get the o-rings\injectors installed easily was to put some Vasoline on each one. After I did that I put the entire thing together without a single leak. I just think that the holes in the fuel rails are a bit sharp and can easily rip a piece of the o-ring while it's being inserted.

Thanks for the info on the oil pressure. I'm going to head that direction.

I'm not sure why everyone is so anti-BBK. I did a lot of reading on them and saw almost nothing but rave reviews. What's the big problem with them that you hate so much BYRDPE?
 

Tanus

New Member
Dec 11, 2009
847
1
0
A to the Z
May 20, 2010
#10
  • May 20, 2010
  • #10
everything made by bbk is total crap, my old bbk throttle body broke and one of the tiny screws that holds butterfly plate went into my motor, I contacted bbk and they were total dicks, F*%K BBK
 

Beasty306GT

Active Member
Dec 19, 2002
671
4
28
Oxford,Mass
May 20, 2010
#11
  • May 20, 2010
  • #11
bbk only makes certain things that are quality...i have no complaints on my xpipe or my cold air kit...but i stayed away from the throttle body and main engine parts....u should have 50 psi cold start for oil then when its warmed up around 25 psi
 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!
Founding Member
May 17, 2000
2,277
35
69
C Addle
May 20, 2010
#12
  • May 20, 2010
  • #12
neakypete said:
I'm not sure why everyone is so anti-BBK. I did a lot of reading on them and saw almost nothing but rave reviews. What's the big problem with them that you hate so much BYRDPE?
Click to expand...

If you did a lot of reading, you must have missed a LOT. The BBK doesn't make a lot of power, isn't of the greatest quality and has a tendency to burn cars to the ground. Personally, I've never read a single positive thing about one. There is an extensive thread on corral.net where the president of BBK came on and tried to defend the product. He didn't succeed in changing any minds.
 

Slatco

New Member
Jan 9, 2010
29
1
3
May 20, 2010
#13
  • May 20, 2010
  • #13
No complaints only compliments with BBK Cold Air Intake. Cant vouch for the rest of their stuff.
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
May 21, 2010
#14
  • May 21, 2010
  • #14
Aside from the BBK bashing, which I hold KING STATUS over...

Time the car. Time the car. Time the car. Time the car. Time the car.

You can't jump steps. Walking is a controled fall and so is a motor. You need to have as many things in your favor as you can so as to rule them out. Get your timing light and that taken care of.

Dude I spent a LONG time trying to get my head/cam/intake install working and despite a few setbacks from BBK, TIMING was my major issue all along. If you hear ticking it's timing. If it isn't, a wise man (HISSIN) told me once, "Always look at the last thing you did"
 

Hi-Po

Member
Mar 31, 2005
106
0
16
Oslo, Norway
May 21, 2010
#15
  • May 21, 2010
  • #15
Is the ticking constant under various conditions? If its more noticeable when driving at say low revs but under load you may have something as simple as a leaking header gasket.
 

gearheadboy

15 Year Member
Jan 15, 2003
1,425
177
84
Greencastle Pa
May 22, 2010
#16
  • May 22, 2010
  • #16
Thats what I was thinking..header gasket. I have the same intake (not by choice, bought the car with it on). The only noise I have, which I have researched and is normal, is the whistle that sounds like a vacuum leak. I have found it is the sound of air moving thru the upper intake and if you touch the top of the plenum cover it goes away. Did you have the headers off? Did you rev it and it spit a piece of header gasket out? Ideas anyhow..
 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!
Founding Member
May 17, 2000
2,277
35
69
C Addle
May 23, 2010
#17
  • May 23, 2010
  • #17
Here's the latest BBK love thread.
 

gearheadboy

15 Year Member
Jan 15, 2003
1,425
177
84
Greencastle Pa
May 23, 2010
#18
  • May 23, 2010
  • #18
WOW. I wanna make a couple test and tune passes on mine before I take it off. Then I'm gonna do a track heat and see what the story is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Engine Strange Noise
  • burntokita
  • May 8, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
353
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 11, 2026
keel
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
516
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
Engine Explorer - Lower intake internal cleaning
  • R82148V
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
42
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 6, 2025
rednotch
Engine Popping noise in the intake. Frustrated still.
  • esteban31065
  • Apr 6, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
15
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 23, 2025
gkomo
S
Fuel ‘88 GT Runs Rich Cold — Fixes Itself When I Unplug Sensors (ECT, MAF, O2, etc.)
  • Sufarry
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
764
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 9, 2025
Mustang5L5
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?