430 out of the frying pan into the fire

What's even better is when the loudmouthed braggard who spent his college money on an engine does the same thing! lol

 

... only thing furrowing my brow is the spark plug gap getting hammered shut without cause or reason.

Was that the same cylinder as the lifter deal ?

 

no. opposite side of the engine. I never heard anything from that side.

I cant imagine what - if anything - I dropped in the intake runners. Though I guess it is possible. It wasnt really big - judging from the mark on the sparkplug - but was enough to knock the electrode down

I seem to remember fishing silicone scrapings out of there after cleanup but thats it.

I need to borrow Jay's Boroscope and take a peek in the cylinder when I get a chance.

I was also wondering if I had maybe dropped the sparkplug at some point and then reinstalled.....but I dont remember that either. I think this is a bit more likely than me dropping something in the intake.

 

Hello Everyone
Wow, what a great thread to read all the way through. I am pleased that you were able to sort it out and there is a lesson in here for me, (and I suppose everyone else), about rebuilding engines.
I have recently purchased a '68 Wildcat and I an keen to get to know the 430 engine. I will be cutting and pasting all the replies to your thread, as there is no way anyone could find this amount of information online! I have also just finished reconditioning a 401 Nailhead and have yet to put it back in the car, which is a 1963 Le Sabre and I have fitted a new camshaft and new lifters! It did have one cracked piston, but made no knocking noises and this is what prompted me to rebore and go all the way with reconditioning, instead of just a rebuild with new rings and bearing and heads overhauled.
Great to see that you are back on the road and happy motoring Ken!
Regards
John

 

yea that coule be it too. It was pinging like crazy with the stock cam on 87 octane.

not so much with the 268 cam

 

Cold snap came thru today.

Started the car - it had sat all night - and the tap was back! Much more subdued, but definitely from the same location.

let the car warm up and it went away once hot.

It is a lifter noise. and its corresponding rocker does not make noise.

 

Bummer - replace them all?

 

I had this issue with my first 455. I built the engine and drove it for over 10 K then one day out of the blue it started hammering the electrode down on one of the cylinders. Never figured out what it was. Sold the car to get out of some legal troubles before I had a chance to take it apart.

 

Yea that is what I am thinking. Either that or just let it be.

I am ok with swapping them now that I know whats making the noise. I didnt want to swap a set in without KNOWING what was the issue if you know what I mean.

Next time I get some freetime I will pull the intake and get r done.

Do I need to get the non oiling type? Or are pushrod oiling lifters ok with this kind of setup? Are the non pushrod oiling type even made nemor

Where is best to get them? Lots of options I am sure. time to start shopping.

 

Maybe give TA a call and see what they tell you... I'm sure someone here has had some experience too....

 

Regarding the mystery of what hit the spark plug electrode: Assuming it had the right gap when it got installed, could a piece of carbon from the chamber broken loose and hit the electrode, then gone out the exhaust? Can carbon buildup get that bad?

 

If its set up like the 400 and early 350 blocks the push rods are solid and if you switch lifters I believe you need to plug the oil hole in the block that supplies oil up to the rocker shaft. Then you need to switch push rods to the hollow ones to go with the lifters. Then you may have to change rocker arms as well. I will be watching for your answers because I just picked up a 68 430 with a rod knock and I am thinking about a low buck re-ring with new bearings so I will be anxious to see which route you go. Tony

 

I pulled the intake and pass side head today.

Something definitely got in there and kicked around a bit. Scarred up the piston and beat up the piston and combustion chamber a bit in a spot where it sat for a little bit before it blew out of there.

I smoothed down the marks on the piston face and the head combustion chamber,

I will be replacing this headgasket and getting it back together soon

There was nothing in the cylinder like a washer or screw - whatever it was is gone now.

Cylinder walls show no adverse effects. Intake and exhaust valves look good, no issues.

I am kind of wondering if one of the raised damaged piston areas was tapping on the tight part of the head combustion chamber. Its a pretty tight chamber, the pistons dont sit far in the hole at all.

any interference is clearanced now at any rate.

I have also replaced the two suspect lifters with new.

will advise

 

Yeah I think the new lifters on cyl #3 did the trick.

tapped a little on startup then smoothed right out.

Took it for a few miles today and the noise is gone!

Hopefully it wont reappear after a cold soak tonight.

MAN what a relief to drive it without that infernal tapping!

 

Post the burn-out video dude

 

here is a pic. The vid is awesome but I dont have a youtube anymore

I have been driving more aggressive with it lately - when its safe and no one else is around - , and the BBB torque is there with the 3.73s. It just shreds the 275-60R15s

Got it sideways and squirrely a few times.

Roars like a freight train when WOT too.

The hi compression and extra cubes make a lot of power.


If I could get it to stop tapping when cold I would be worlds more satisfied - but I have to realize it is a tired-out engine. . I might check out the rocker shafts and rockers for proper lubing action. Whatever. I am done opening up the engine.

I am going to crank up the TA pressure regulator as well. try to get some more oil thru it.

 

Love the bits of burnt rubber!:grin:

 

hehe and thats nothing. It got thrown all back into the garage and all over my stuff in there. what you see in the pic is just the very beginning of the remains of my tires.

The kids were picking it up and bagging it for show and tell at school

It was a real smokeshow

 

OOOOO i gotz me sum video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWCBAGyhDzQ&feature=youtu.be