Chevy 307 knock and squeal, any ideas?

[Mettie5793]

Sorry everyone, I've been busy at work the past week, so I haven't been able to get out there. I decided to clean my garage last night so I'll have a place to start working on it again. it's been raining and snowing everyday for the past week. I've decided I'm just gonna pick up a 350, but I'm still gonna tear this one open just to see what it was. I will update when I get the pan off. This might be a dumb question but how do I hook a oil pressure gauge up? My car didn't come stock with one, I know it prolly won't do me much good on the 307 now but if I can hook it up on the 350 just in case something like this starts, I can maybe catch it in time. Thanks everyone

 

[pontiacgp]

there are no dumb questions, are you going to be using a electric or mechanical oil pressure gauge?

 

[Mettie5793]

This just came to me, check the balancer. I had a 307 in my '72 Monte when I put it together & didn't think about getting the correct press on one, just thought a small block is a small block & that 350's will work. I found out the hard way getting onto I279 at the Venture St ramp hi revving going through the gears. In third gear over 3500 I launched it off the crank. Wrecked the balancer, took a chunk out of the cranks key way, took out some guys brand new tire as the balancer banged off the Jersey barrier. Ended up having to replace the crank after the cobbled fix with another 350 unit. Then same result with yet another 350 balancer. Ended up fixing it with a 283 out of a friends '67 Camaro. Did learn one thing from this, a 307 runs very smooth with out a balancer.
Check to see if the balancer is loose & if it's not the thin press on that a 307 used. It could also cause the squealing which I thought was the belts. Another thing to understand the 307 will not in most cases be tapped for a balancer bolt.

I will try to check the balancer tonight, it doesnt look thin but honestly never really payed attention to the thickness, but the crank is drilled and tapped but idk if it was stock like that or if a previous owner may have did it themself

 

[Mettie5793]

there are no dumb questions, are you going to be using a electric or mechanical oil pressure gauge?

Which one would be more accurate?

 

[bob64]

Electric or mechanical ? Aftermarket mechanical will come with different fittings, electric you'll have to buy the sensor!

Mechanical is more accurate in my eyes!

 

[pontiacgp]

Which one would be more accurate?

That is a good question and it depends on the quality of the product. I like to use mechanical on my oil and temperature.

 

[565bbchevy]

I always use a good quality mechanical gauge for oil pressure but I would upgrade the line kit to braided or at least a copper line since many gauges come with a nylon line.

 

[Mettie5793]

I always use a good quality mechanical gauge for oil pressure but I would upgrade the line kit to braided or at least a copper line since many gauges come with a nylon line.

Where would I tap It in to?
Btw I love your car in your pic

 

[565bbchevy]

Where would I tap It in to?
Btw I love your car in your pic

There is already a threaded hole at the rear of the block near the distributor behind the intake manifold.

 

[DRIVEN]

I always use a good quality mechanical gauge for oil pressure but I would upgrade the line kit to braided or at least a copper line since many gauges come with a nylon line.

X2 on upgrading to copper over the cheap plastic tube that comes with almost every mechanical gauge.
Tip: You can source copper tubing and ferrules much cheaper at a hardware store than if it's in Autometer or VDO packaging.