anyone here ever had a really bad engine knock before?looking to compare "damage" if u will. it sounded like a light lifter knock the first time i started it. drove for bout 8-10 miles, oil pressure dropped and started knock more noticably. stoped and put 2 quarts of oil in it (oil was ful before). started it again and it really really bad. sounded like someone hitting the side of an aluminum building with a sledge hammer. it would shift into 3rd and topped out at bout 35mph. changed the oil and it lightened a little (like using a bat instead of a sledge). ive been told it was anything from a main bearing to oil pump. never taking apart the engine to really look for it.

mike (loomdog)

 

Not good man....it could be anything internal....but I would recommend tearing it down before it lets loose completely and blows a hole in the side of your block. I had a v-6 bronco II that was knocking, then a connecting rod broke. Ran it for 2 weks on 5 cylinders, then the broken peice of connecting rod hit the blockright and BANG!! Not pretty!

 

Something about oil pumps ... what the hell was it... oh- some early 2.8's came with aluminum oil pumps. That's all well & good, but the aluminum cover wore down quite a bit, and oil pressure could drop. They say if you're rebuilding a 2.8, and find you have an aluminum oil pump, instead of rebuilding the aluminum pump, scrap it, and replace it with steel. Doesn't really help your current condition, but it might give you an answer as to what happened. Do you have an oil pressure gauge?

 

Here's what ya got.
A dead engine.
For what it's worth, I also drove a Chevy V-8 for MANY miles with a rod knock. Even raced a Mercedes at 100MPH (in my 67 Camaro Convert up in SF). I sold that engine with the knock for $200.
ON THESE 2.8...
There is no support (torque of a V-8 over comes alot of problems), These things knock then it's dead.
I tried to revive my 2.8 in my Blazer after I let loose a headgasket. Wasted my time.
I've got a rebuilt oil pump, free, to install.
Nope, I'll slip in a 3.4 instead.
Start shopping for a running long block in your price range, then plan on a swap boogie.
If you get to "open the pan" on your worn block (for oil pump swap), you're most of the way to just installing a better sure thing engine, right?
I learned my lesson.

 

i think i finally got the "nightmare" over with bout the engine swap. its gonna happen, just not till summer (far from stock 3.4). i was tring to get it running and useful before i complete replaced it.. it would only be a temp solution. 3-4 months max. but the car also never was registered and i bought it in nov. that means i gotta somg it too.

mike (loomdog)

 

When you are ready to spend some bucks, please give me a shout. I can offer you a "local" option of purchasing a used 3.4.
Again, I paid $800 for mine.
It was a stretch, but, so worth it!
This engine is good for ALOT of miles.
That alone compensates my effort.
AND lots of smiles, on each mile, too.
No, it wasn't effortless, but, it was easy.