Engine knock

[Coryg]

Hello , this is my first modular motor and don't know much about these motors. The car has about 133k, all original. I bought it from an older lady about a year and a half ago with 125k. The car has had nothing but synthetic oil changed religiously as per the records I was given with the car. The car had the "normal" rattle that everyone talks about. The other night I was driving down the highway and it started knocking. It was not low on oil. The knock sounds like it's coming from the top end on the driver side. I put an oil pressure gauge on it, had about 55-60psi at idle. The oil pressure gauge was jumping in this area. Is this normal? Pulled both valve covers and both look good with no issues. The timing chains are both tight and do not seem to have any issues. I don't know what other steps to take. I was going to drain the oil tonight and see what comes out. I was also planning to pull the plugs and look down in the cylinders with a camera. Could this be a lifter issue or something that would be making a noise up top. But it is a loud knock like a spun bearing but coming from the top end. Sorry for the novel. Lol. Just trying to get all that I know and have checked out there.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Cylinder 8 has poor cooling and can overheat causing bent valve.

[RubberCtyRauder]

you need to do a compression check on all cylinders, but my guess is number 8 is bad.

[RF Overlord]

55-60 pounds at idle seems quite high. When warm, these motors generally run closer to 25 or so...

[RubberCtyRauder]

wher did you put a oil pressure gauge on it? the factory oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge,reads 55-60 ALL the time wether you have 6 lbs. or 100 lbs.

[sailsmen]

For ~$28 get an oil analysis.

[RF Overlord]

wher did you put a oil pressure gauge on it? the factory oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge,reads 55-60 ALL the time wether you have 6 lbs. or 100 lbs.What I said above plus this ^^^

[Coryg]

I have a manual oil pressure gauge by kd tools. I removed the oil pressure sensor and threaded it in that hole and that gauge was reading that. I know the regular gauge in the car is a dummy. I tested the oil pressure when the engine was cold.

[RF Overlord]

I tested the oil pressure when the engine was cold.Then your numbers were probably valid, but if possible you should re-check when the engine is at operating temp.

[Coryg]

Can I do a compression test with the valve covers off or will it sling oil everywhere?

[tbone]

Oil everywhere....

[the fat bastid]

Cylinder 8 has poor cooling and can overheat causing bent valve.

That reminds me, isn't there a cooling mod that fixes this?
Is 95,000 too late to bother with it?

[Coryg]

Oil everywhere....

That's what I thought...

[RubberCtyRauder]

That reminds me, isn't there a cooling mod that fixes this?
Is 95,000 too late to bother with it?

never too late, search head cooling mod.

[Jtrip]

You're in Gainesville? What color is your car? I'm in Gainesville all the time. I have yet to see another marauder in the wild when I'm driving mine.

[Coryg]

You're in Gainesville? What color is your car? I'm in Gainesville all the time. I have yet to see another marauder in the wild when I'm driving mine.

Just moved from there. Mine is black. But I've seen 2 black ones running around and one silver birch that is a cop.

[Jtrip]

Just moved from there. Mine is black. But I've seen 2 black ones running around and one silver birch that is a cop.

Mines black also. Didn't realize cops still drove them. Good luck with your motor.

[justbob]

The oil feed hole to each head is under the cam caps. It's not uncommon to see these gunk up and stop oil the head resulting in many issues.

You may have burned up a cam journal if so.


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[Coryg]

So I got home late from work today, was unable to look at the car tonight. When I did pull the valve covers, I did not find any metal shavings or anything. Wouldn't a cam journal issue atleast give me a little bit of metal up top or would it have all went down to the pan.

[justbob]

The only ones I've seen are pictures. They only thing I could see was horribly scored/burnt cam journals.


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[justbob]

Can I do a compression test with the valve covers off or will it sling oil everywhere?



I didn't see this.

I've done it before and it wasn't too bad at all. I tucked bathing towels on both sides of the engine and one across the top. If I remember right it was all for nothing really.


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[Coryg]

So after some family issues, I finally got around to looking at it. Pulled the oil pan and it's full of metal shavings and chunks. I guess I will finish pulling the motor out to see what caused this. Should I pull Trans out with it, or will it stay supported in the car?

[justbob]

Trans will need to be supported.


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[Coryg]

Trans will need to be supported.


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How should this be done?

[justbob]

Jack under pan, engine out, two long bolts in bellhousing resting on top of square tubing that's resting on the frame, jack out.


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[Coryg]

I used a ratchet strap. Lol


So I got it out and pulled the connecting rod caps one by one and found #1 rod bearing spun and ate up the crank as well. Time to save my pennies. Lol

[Coryg]

So I will be building the bottom end shortly after the new year. I was looking at getting a teksid block, does anyone know if our heads will bolt straight to the block without any issues. Also, what crank should be used? Or should I spend the extra money and buy a new crank. I want to make power with reliability and not have to worry about the bottom end coming apart. It will eventually be supercharged.

[fastblackmerc]

never too late, search head cooling mod.

What he ^^^^^^^ said.

[Zack]

So I will be building the bottom end shortly after the new year. I was looking at getting a teksid block, does anyone know if our heads will bolt straight to the block without any issues. Also, what crank should be used? Or should I spend the extra money and buy a new crank. I want to make power with reliability and not have to worry about the bottom end coming apart. It will eventually be supercharged.

You don't need a Teksid Block. Rebuild what you have

[SGT_MERC]

This...^^^^^

[Coryg]

I'd rather be safe than sorry. From what I've read, the wap blocks are only good for up to 600 crank. Rather be safe than sorry and spend a few extra hundred.

[RubberCtyRauder]

wap blocks good for 1000. never seen a block failure, internals fail.