Engine tapping hard at idle and all RPMs.

[Blackened300a]

Last week, #2 spark plug blew out again. It shorted the coil and took the threads. It was the same one that blew out on my way to Indy last year. I was able to re-thread it last time but no such luck this time around. I purchased the insert kit for the head to replace the plug. Today we installed the insert with no issues. We made sure we blew out all the metal in the cylinders several times like in the instructions. A new coil was installed and when we started it up, it started making a loud tapping noise out of #2 cyl. I can unplug the coil and the tap changes tone and then gets louder when I plug the coil back in. I hear it in the intake not in the exhaust so it may be valve related.
I removed the intake manifold and looked at the intake valves and they are clear and clean. I also blew out all the cylinders and took the plug back out to clear any debris. I also did a compression test and was pushing about 170 in that cyl so I'm pretty much at a loss at the moment. Tomorrow I plan on pulling the valve cover and see what it looks like under there.
Ill try to take a video tomorrow. Basically it sounds like a hammer being hit on the inside of the intake manifold. The engine idles smooth and don't miss, it just has the loud tapping all the time.

I hope to find someone in the area that know what they are looking at with these engines and know how to tear them down.

[musclemerc]

Best of luck getting her repaired.

[Ktorres1]

Keep us updated I think I heard a similar noise just yesterday from right by heck as a matter of fact cylinder #2! Ima check now because I hope it was just a coincidence of me losing a wrench under the hood

[dohc324ci]

This brings back bad memories that still haunts me today. Question though did you put in a heli coil or steel insert the last blow out?

Good luck.

[LeoVampire]

I supose there is a chance that the old heli coil got caught and crushed in one of the valves.

But I hope your looking at a much easier situation to handle than a tear down and repair.

[FordNut]

There is a complete engine for sale in the classifieds.

[Blackened300a]

This brings back bad memories that still haunts me today. Question though did you put in a heli coil or steel insert the last blow out?

Good luck.

The last blow out didnt take the threads. I t must have backed itself out and I was able to save re-insert the plug.

I supose there is a chance that the old heli coil got caught and crushed in one of the valves.

But I hope your looking at a much easier situation to handle than a tear down and repair.

Im exploring all options. I have $3500 set aside to repair this.

There is a complete engine for sale in the classifieds.

Im keeping all options open. Tomorrow I will look to see under the valve cover if its a valve or piston.

[ImpalaSlayer]

damn dude sorry to hear. that really sucks.

[Motorhead350]

Sorry to hear this Paul.

Good luck!

[LeoVampire]

Before you tear it down do a leak test if you can to try an pinpoint the problem between the exhaust, intake and so forth.

How well are you set up for tools and equipment @ your place?

[Zack]

Pull the cam cover and check if one of the 2 followers came off and is making the noise.

The car will run just the same with one off due to it having 2 valves per intake/exhaust

[fastblackmerc]

Pull the cam cover and check if one of the 2 followers came off and is making the noise.

The car will run just the same with one off due to it having 2 valves per intake/exhaust

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That is what I'd suspect.

[Blackened300a]

I found a really good Ford mechanic local to my shop. I drove the car the few miles and it ran great, no loss of power, no hesitations and nothing abnormal other then the noise. The guy heard the noise and said it sounds like the typical wrist pin slap after detonation. Hes pulling it apart to inspect further into it. I should have a call this afternoon to see what the damages are.

[babbage]

Sucks man, sorry about that. I hope it's not major.

[ImpalaSlayer]

damn that sucks dude. i got half way to work today and turned around because of a loud clanking sound .