noise in front of engine.

[cbileske]

hey everyone, I'm new to this forum. Looks like there is some good info on here.

Anyways, Ive had my Yoda for about 6yrs now; it was a awesome truck until the engine finally seized up. It ended up sitting for a while until i found a used engine. I tore down the used engine and replaced all the gaskets and seals so there would be no leaks anywhere. When the oil pan was off i cleaned out the broken guides and checked the rods for play. The bottom end was solid. I had a timing chain kit I had bought a couple years back laying around, I got it off ebay :shootme: That basically sums up to this point.

I got the new engine in the truck and it runs awesome, starts really quick, no blue smoke out the exhaust, no leaks and good oil pressure. The only thing is, there is a mild knocking in the very front of the engine, I used a pipe to my ear to find where it is the loudest. Under the engine it is quiet all around except a little louder on the bottom of the timing cover. The rocker arms are all adjusted to spec.

I know the timing chain usually causes a rattle noise, so I'm wondering where this knocking could be coming from. I also checked for a manifold exhaust leak, didn't seem to be any; could one be mistaken for a knock?

[whomadewho]

What year vehicle? - What size engine? - Carb or fuel injected? Does the engine make the noise,only at idle speed ? Does the noise go away under load? Lot of possibilities -Harmonic balancer could make a noise - POSSIBLE bad wrist pin - possible some object may have gotten in the combustion chamber during the swap. You might try running the engine and pull the plug wires - one at a time - If the noise goes away - this MAY indicate a bad rod bearing or a bad wrist pin, If you have a carb engine - could be a fuel pump issue.

[cbileske]

Thanks for the reply, sorry i forgot to say engine size etc.

its a 1989 pickup with the 22RE engine. We were thinking wrist pin as well but then a machine shop said its pretty unlikley. Fuel pump is new, timing is bang on.

I will try removing the plug wires one at a time to see if that shows anything. Harmonic Balancer; how would this make a knocking noise? when i took the pipe to listen to the engine, it really sounded the loudest right up at the front from above and below.

The noise seems to not be there(or very faintly) when its idling, as you increse rpm loaded or unloaded it gets a little louder.

I know its quite a shot in the dark asking for advice on something like this, but a few ideas might help me in the right direction.

Thanks

[whomadewho]

The harmonic balancer would not make a knocking noise. The only other thing I can think of, there are two bolts on the oil pump that go through the timing cover, just a long shot if the bolts are to long,could be hitting the chain. causing a noise.

[cbileske]

I will have to take a look down the timing chain and see if there is anything interferring. Thanks alot. The truck runs awesome tho. havent had it on the road for almost 2 years

[whomadewho]

Before you remove the cover, you might want to consider removing the two bolts in the oil pump - they are located at the - 9 and 12 - o clock position. IF the wrong length bolts were used this may be the problem. The timing cover can be removed without removing the head. Its a tight fit between the cover and the head. I have done several. I had the best luck removing the oil pump completely. The only bolts I would remove completely on the oil pan are the front bolts around the cover,the rest just loosen and VERY GENTLY pry on the pan to get enough Clarence to remove the cover and place a piece of whatever between the oil pan and block -IE washers -to hold the pan away from the cover while you perform the procedure. - Be very careful when you remove the cover,so you don't damage the head gasket. Don't forget the top cover bolt, located under the rocker cover. - Good luck

[Hoodlum]

There's a chance that it might be the timing chain guides.The guides are made of plastic and are known for deteriorating over time.

[cbileske]

Got it figured today, Cant believe I never noticed it before.

The Cam lobe on cylinder 3 and one of the Rocker arms was worn right out. Put a new cam and rocker arm assembly on and it is normal now.