First motor start, terrible knocking

[BILT4ME]

Are all the bolts tight on the torque converter? It sounds to me like a rotational issue, not a linear "hammering" issue.

Also, do you have a stethoscope to check location of the noise? I know you don;t want to run it any more than you have to, but in order to find the problem.

I think a TC bolt is loose just a bit (or all of them) and they are hitting the lower lip of the back of the block. I think this because it has kind of a "ratchet" sound to it.

Good luck.

[geezer#99]

When you adjust the lifters again, remember to do the 'wiggle' the pushrods and not the 'twist' the pushrod method.

[Lefkada]

Alright, I checked the flex plate and torque converter - both feel solid.

I loosened all rockers up by 1/2 turn and ran the motor. The sound was still there, so I crawled underneath and put my ear right up to the oil pan (I have no stethoscope) and could definitely hear something knocking inside. Looks like I'll be pulling the pan now.

I really appreciate everyone's guidance on this so far.

[BILT4ME]

You can use a long screwdriver and press it to your ear and touch it to different areas on the block, valve cover, oil pan, etc.

Did you do anything with the oil pump while you had it out? Did it suck up some debris in the oil pan and the pump screen fell off?

It does NOT sound like the crankshaft is hitting anything and does not sound fast enough to be related to the cam (it turns half the speed of the cranks).

Distributor not seated
Starter dragging or rubbing the flywheel
Timing chain rubbing the cover
Oil pump shelling out
Accessory (AC Pump, Alternator, PS pump) dragging/rubbing/hitting/dry
Transmission pump dry (Is there fluid in the transmission?)
Parking Pawl dragging inside the transmission
Transmission in gear due to improper adjustment....
Too long of a bolt in the TC cover dragging on the teeth of the TC


Just spitballing to throw out ideas.......

[Lefkada]

Originally Posted by BILT4ME

You can use a long screwdriver and press it to your ear and touch it to different areas on the block, valve cover, oil pan, etc.

Did you do anything with the oil pump while you had it out? Did it suck up some debris in the oil pan and the pump screen fell off?

It does NOT sound like the crankshaft is hitting anything and does not sound fast enough to be related to the cam (it turns half the speed of the cranks).

Distributor not seated
Starter dragging or rubbing the flywheel
Timing chain rubbing the cover
Oil pump shelling out
Accessory (AC Pump, Alternator, PS pump) dragging/rubbing/hitting/dry
Transmission pump dry (Is there fluid in the transmission?)
Parking Pawl dragging inside the transmission
Transmission in gear due to improper adjustment....
Too long of a bolt in the TC cover dragging on the teeth of the TC


Just spitballing to throw out ideas.......

I didn't remove the oil pump but did remove, clean and reinstall the oil pump screen. I guess we will find out if something fell apart after I pull the pan tonight.

I have a little over 4 quarts of ATF in right now as I read you should not put all 10 quarts of ATF in, but start with around 4qt, shift through the gears, and then put the rest of the 6qt in. I hope this is correct.

[Boog]

I don't know about the differences between those two head castings but could it be the rockers are binding with the valve rotators? That's an angry sounding noise. It stands to reason the only changes made were the head exchange so this noise should be related to the heads.
How is the oil pressure?

[Lefkada]

Originally Posted by Boog

I don't know about the differences between those two head castings but could it be the rockers are binding with the valve rotators? That's an angry sounding noise. It stands to reason the only changes made were the head exchange so this noise should be related to the heads.
How is the oil pressure?

I looked up the head castings (http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/heads.html) and there seems to be no difference in specs. One was used on 307's/350's and the other used on just 350's.

Oil pressure reads high on the stock gauge.


I just added 2 more quarts of ATF (I'm at 6-7qt now) and the sound remained, so I don't think it's the tranny pump.

[Boog]

Oil pressure is higher than before the head swap?
Have you run the engine with the valve covers removed to see that all the valves are moving up and down an equal amount and that oil is getting to the top of the rockers?
I don't believe that noise is tranny related.

[Jason Banks]

How bent was the one pushrod? If the cam was messed up underneath that lifter and you put in a new pushrod. Whoever suggested running with the valve covers off could be on to something.

[Marshy]

Any update?

[mcbassin]

That video was hard to watch. Unfortunately, it sounds like some catastrophic damage to a piston or rod bearing or something. I'm hoping to hear good news but dang...