May be more than rod bearings. I had a main go with beginning indications just like this.
Note: You can change both the rod and main bearings with the motor in the car.
Does the 99 have an sir charged back support in the seat? If so, thats exactly what it is.
If you put too much pressure in the seat, the bag will overload and the pressure regulator releases causing a sound identical to what you are describing.
Try letting all the pressure out of the seat...
Remove the belts, loosen #2 and #3 main progressively meaning loosen #2 more than #3. Do not remove or loosen them all the way. Also, do not loosen or remove the last one. You will develope oil leaks from the rear main.
Just loosen them as little as possible as to gett he top of #1 installed...
The reason for the amount of threads on the stock plug is for ensuring that Jiffy **** doesn't strip out the aluminum oil pan when they overtighten the plug.
There is no telling how long it will take to chew up another valve shim. Its not something I would let go too long though. Pitted cam lobe, chews up shim, spits shim out, disintegrates cam lobe.
Yup, I've seen it.
The cams run about $125 and up for a used set. You will be hard pressed to find...
Go with a brand new Ford OEM clutch kit with a ceramic hy-brid TOB from www.shonutperformance.com
He has the best price and his OEMs are new, not rebuilt like the rest of the Ford suppliers.
The Timing Vane is $47 from Ford. Email me at [email protected] . I have a ton of them.
Also, you may want to consider getting allen drive screws for CPS fasteners. Makes it really easy to torque and remove.