Major engine troubles

[Forsaken502]

So this morning I go to fire up the regal (305 SBC) to go to work. I just get out of the driveway and all the sudden hear a loud metal on metal noise, kinda like someone hitting a chunk of heavy metal with a hammer. I turn around and get it back into my driveway. Once I got home I started it up and it ran ok, but the same noise still there (DAMN, it didn't magically fix itself). I pulled off the valve covers and everything seems to be in place. No broken pushrods, rockers, all valve stems visible, etc. So now I'm thinking it's probably either a connecting rod or piston that let go. No easy way to tell with the engine still in the car.

A friend has a 350 out of a 72 Vette for $500. Unfortunatly money is a little tight right now, so I think it will be a while before it's back on the road. I'm hoping the vette enging passes a compression test tho, probably the cheapest route.

 

[1evilregal]

sounds like it could be a spun bearing on the main or journal... if it only sounded like one guy hammering, it's jist your crank that's toast... if it sounds like 2 guys in there, then it's your rod and crank that's toast...

if the compression on the vette motor is up to par, then I'd go that way, as the machine work or crank/rod replacement would run you about the same, if not more. added bonus would be that you're getting the 350 upgrade at the same time, and your intake should bolt up to the 350! :wink:

hope this helps in the decision... I'm sure a few others will be in to give their opinions as well, and correct me if i'm wrong in any way..

 

[Bonnewagon]

I agree with 1evilregal. Does it quiet down at idle? Get loud as the rpm goes up? Did oil pressure drop? Sounds like a rod bearing. 350 is an easy way to recover.

 

[Forsaken502]

I'm starting to lean towards a spun bearing too, that's what my dad thought too. It sounds like a whole regiment of guys in there hammering lol. I definetly leaning towards the vette engine route. I'll be changing over the carb and intake. Maybe the ignition too. Did the '72's have an HEI ignition? Can't remeber when they came out lol.

Yeah, it's quieter at idle then gets louder/faster as RPM increases. Unfortunatly I don't have an oil pressure gauge in my car, so can't comment on oil pressure.

It would be nice if I had a little bit more money, don't know how I'm going to swing the engine as it is, would have also like to have thrown in the headers I have, but that requires buying another muffler + piping.

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

Time for an upgrade. Maybe you could pay him a few bucks every week for him to hold it for you. As long as the 350 is a sound motor, that's a really good deal. The 72's still had the points type ignition. I think it was 75 - 76 before the HEI came out. Since you're going to reuse your carb and intake just use your distributor too.