So short version of the story... i was driving some friends around, got a low oil pressure light when i started it up after doing a quick 5 second shut off, it went away if i revved it (and no knocking when revved to a higher rpm), so I drove it home. I now regret doing this in so many ways, and trust me, I am kicking myself for it.

So I replaced the oil pump, got oil pressure now, cold start it's pegged the 60PSI meter, once it gets out of closed loop (that's the one where it's a cold start, right? i always get them confused) it goes down to 30PSI at idle.

It knocked a lot when it started up, but once the oil PSI got to about 40 on the gauge it stopped knocking and idled great and smooth, better than ever (it's always had a off-idle). I figured the knocking at start up was exhaust leak since on the passenger side i broke off the stud on the y-pipe to manifold thing (yeah, i dont know what it's called lol).

So after letting it idle for a little bit and get out of closed loop i saw the oil pressure dropped to 30, figured that was acceptable, didnt hear any knock at idle, figured I'd give it a drive since i havent driven it for the past 3 weeks! I got to the stop sign at the end of my street (about 7 houses down) and could hear it wasnt running right, so i pulled up to a driveway so i could back up and drive it home, it died right there in the driveway as i coasted it in there. When it died off it sputtered and I heard knocking, like marbles in a coffee can almost, but it wasnt very fast, like thunk-thunk -pause 1/4 second- thunk -pause 3/4 second- dead.

It had the same kind of knock when i started it up too.

So I got it started back up, it didnt knock on startup this time (started right up), got turned around, could tell it was idling way too low, so i got reversed and switched into drive fast and got it home, got it into my driveway and let it sit for a second to listen to the idle (so I could tell you guys what it sounded like) it sounded silky smooth until it started to sputter, the lights turned low (because not enough RPMs for the alternators) and it would start knocking, the oil pressure drops to 0 or close to it atleast when it's doing this. I gave it gas and the knocking sped up, and then stopped when the oil pressure got back to normal.

The knocking is rythmatic, not continuous if that means anything to you all....

So basically, I have two problems then I'm guessing, a spun rod bearing, and i need to adjust my TPS?

Any sympathies, "been there done that" hinters on what to look for, or "you're so wrong, it's ______" is much appreciated :hail:

Thanks in advanced

 

oh, the knocking sounds exactly like when i did my first tune-up to the car, I got some AC Delcos that had a longer reach (not by much though) and i never gapped it. The thing would have a hard time starting, and when it did it made the same "knocking" sound, it made me cringe.

Is this possibly something stupid like wrong plugs? I'm running Bosch right now... I dont know the number sorry.

 

Sounds like a rod knock to me

Have you found any metal or pieces of bearing material in your oil? Oil filter?

When you did the oil pump, did you check your bearings?

 

i didnt see any metal in my oil or filter when i did my pump, i checked several times for it too.

I didnt check my bearings while I was under there because I simply dont know how lol.

If it does end up being rod knock then I might just go to a junkyard and nab a 350 from a 80's truck and just use the bottom end in my car.... but money is tight and I'm trying to get a little money to go to college, so if I dont have to then that would be super....

Thx for the advice, i'll check the bearings after payday this week.

 

The easiest way to check the bearings is to first check for any play between the end cap of the rod and the crank, just give the end of the conn. rod a bit of a wiggle, if there is any play, you are probably in trouble.

Or you can simply pull the end caps off (dont forget to check the mains too) and simply look at the bearing.

Of course it is a bit of a pain to jack the engine up, and pull the pan, but if you did the oil pump, then you know what I mean.

Also are you sure the oil pick up is not too close to the bottom of the pan? I have heared of that causing trouble.

When you put it back together make sure everything is t/q'd correctly. Also inspect the crank for any damage (scratches) or excessive wear.

 

boy what a pain, but yes i will have to do this testing... i cant drive it until i get it fixed. Well, I could but then I'd DEFINETLY be getting a whole new block and bottom end lol.

How do I test the main bearings for play btw?

I'm not 100% sure that the pickup isnt too close to the bottom of the tank, but i set it at the same height as my stocker.