Finally got my car on the road and running, and its starting to make a noise. At first it was really quiet, I just figured it was a little valvestick. Now it seems to be knocking, not much at idle, but once it hits about 2500 the noise is so bad that it can be heard from the drivers seat. Oil pressure is always between 40-60 (according to the sunpro) and the motor runs well. I took a video of the noise I hear at Putfile - Knock 13 I haven't started it since because I'm afraid to really wreck it. I personally think it sounds like a bearing is going bad, and giving me rod knock. I've also gotten some other opinons;

1. I was told by a tech at autozone that it could be a timing issue, is this possible?
2. I was told it could be a bent valve, rocker arm or some other valvetrain issue.
3. I was told to check the flexplate, as it could be a crack there.

I have yet to drain the oil or take the valvecovers off, but thats my next step. I don't have the time or space to rebuild the engine myself, so I guess my question is, what should I do? I'd love an opinion from someone around here. I have no way to get to work now, and rely on my mom to drive me every day. Could I get it rebuilt right for less than $2,000? Should I just buy a new engine? I bought the car off of ebay on February 28th. It was supposed to be running fine, and so far i've spend $2,000 just fixing plumbing, body and electical stuff that was supposed to be working. I'm too far in now to get my money back, but should I cut my losses and go after the seller, or is the car worth saving? (i've gotten really attached to it)

Thanks so much in advance, i'm really backed in to a corner right now and any advice would be very appreciated.

 

3. Could be a cracked flexplate, it's been known to make the noise of death, however, I may not be hearing it well, but I don't hear the noise of death. I hear a whole slew of annoying noises though...
2. Mmmmmm... cooould be. That was my first impression. Or mayyybe a lot of exhaust leak. Granted, I couldn't hear it at all well.
1. Doesn't sound like it.

Best bet? Go buy a mechanic's stethoscope and try and pinpoint where you are getting the noise from. You should be able to at least get the general position of the noise.

 

do you know of any GOOD mechanics around? The older guys that have been restoring hot rods for 30 years? Not the toyota oil change specialsts... Maybe get one of those kind of guys to have a good look at it.

Unfortunately without a studio quality sound setup, it's hard to convey a noise on the internet.

A stethoscope is great, i'd recommend it, but they're kinda hard to determine what's an ok noise, and what's a bad noise to hear, without a fair bit of experience.

changing the oil, and cutting open the filter could be a good idea.

also, as you mentioned, removing a valve cover, and watching things move, maybe put your stethoscope on a rocker stud or two.

 

Fortunetly for me, there are enough of them in my family.