Hi guys. I have an 88 T/A (TPI) 5-speed (305) of course....

I Had no problems and it was running smooth....a few nights ago I was getting ready to go visit a friend...warming up a car and a Mustang guy decided to pull up and challenge to a race...it looked like a stock and not well taken care of so I said sure. Of course I smoked him...actually he was not the best driver and his rear end got squirly and he hit a telephone pole and drove off. Victory however was for me short lived.

I blew a hole in my freeze plug the one in front behind the power steering and alternator stuff. So the next day I pulled the stuff off went to the store got a new plug popped it on. No leaks everything perfect. So now. I all excited to drive to work in my newly functioning car hop in and start driving. \

Here's the problem.

When I first start my car it knocks for a second almost like when the oil is low or almost sounds like 'dieseling' but more knockish. It knocks for a second or two then smooths out. If I hit the accelerator fast it starts to knock again and when I let off it stops knocking. That is in Nuetral. In gear it's pretty much the same. If I go real eazy on the gas...no nock. Medium to rough on the gas it knocks. Can't really hear the knock at higher cruisin speeds like on the freeway. Oil and Oil pressure is good...any suggestions on how to go about troubleshooting??? WHere to start.

Thanks for your help! I just wanna get this thing runnng smooth again!

 

Check your torque convertor bolts and make sure they are tight. But the noise you are describing sounds like a typical bottom end noise.. It may be time for a rebuild..

 

Very first thing to look at is timing. How is it set, and does backing it off lessen the knocking?

 

it only has 85k miles, it could be rebuild time but....how do I adjust the timing on this car?