What is This Sound??

I started the Thunderbird up today, is hasn't ran in months....kinda short on cash this summer

I am pretty sure the head gaskets need replacing, there are bubbles in the rad and I could smell the anti-freeze in the exhaust.

What has me worried is this metallic knocking sound at an idle. I didn't try it in drive, it is louder near the rear of the engine. I have had the engine running for about 3 years so I'm pretty sure it's not the converter bolts.



I appreciate any ideas.

Bill

Sounds to me like a hydro lifter collapsed giving you excessive lash.
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TRUKPULR wrote:
Sounds to me like a hydro lifter collapsed giving you excessive lash.
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Thanks Puller, I'll check that out. I'm going to have to pull the intake and heads anyway. May have to be talking to someone about a new cam.....

Bill

For some reason I can't get it to play

Seems to work here, I am worried that it is a rod bearing or something. It sounds like its coming from down low in the engine.

Bill

Bill I would pull the valve covers and check rocker arms a loose rocker arm will send the sound out the header also.I have had them to do that on my old 315c the first time I thought it was a rod knock sound just like it was coming from the bottom end.Like truckpuller said it might be that a lifter went flat from sittting.


Rick I had to go to the next pic then back and it started working for me.


Jim

69F100 wrote:Bill I would pull the valve covers and check rocker arms a loose rocker arm will send the sound out the header also.I have had them to do that on my old 315c the first time I thought it was a rod knock sound just like it was coming from the bottom end.Like truckpuller said it might be that a lifter went flat from sittting.


Rick I had to go to the next pic then back and it started working for me.


Jim

Thanks Jim, are the lifters toast after they go flat? Or will they come back up?

Bill

They can come back up. 250 Mike had that problem and it righted itself.
First thing I would do is drain that pan!!!, if you suspect head gaskets. I Had that happen to my 94 T-Bird. I got lucky. I changed gaskets and re-surfaced the heads. Took a vacum cleaner and pulled what was sitting in the bores. Then drained the pan. Heck it dropped about a Quart of water before any oil came

Ran like a champ before the ole lady finnished her off

Good luck.
Al

I'll do that Al.

I had a sneaky suspision when I went to fire it. The rad was down a bit. So I pulled the plugs and spun it over a few times to make sure it didn't hydraulic. I haven't ever had any water in the oil but I don't see any on the ground either. Must be going in the pan??

Bill

if the oil is not milky its going out the ex. knock may be it compressing a little water could be wrist pin, i would check rockers n valve train first if no problem there ya better pull the pan n check the inserts didnt really sound like a lifter to me jmo, but in 31 years o fixin busted a$$ rides i heard a ton a bad lifters, keep us posted . Erv.

hillbillyerv wrote:if the oil is not milky its going out the ex. knock may be it compressing a little water could be wrist pin, i would check rockers n valve train first if no problem there ya better pull the pan n check the inserts didnt really sound like a lifter to me jmo, but in 31 years o fixin busted a$$ rides i heard a ton a bad lifters, keep us posted . Erv.

The oil has "0" miles on it. I changed it in the spring and haven't driven it. The oil is at the same level and looks like brand new.

The rods, pistons, etc were all new. Eagle rods and SP hyper pistons. All that was reused was the crank and block after machining.

The weather isn't going to be too bad tomorrow, hope to get it disassembled then.

I used Fel-Pro gaskets that came in the rebuild kit from Sealed Power. Any thoughts on what I should replace them with?

Bill

you can get a set from Lem he has a good deal on them!!! let us know what ya find .