CRT Skiff Crafter
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2003
- Messages
- 100
It's back together, but something's wrong!
Hi folks.<br /><br />Well I finally got my Ford 302 (888 Mercruiser) back together after installing a timing set and a new Mallory breakerless distributor. Note: I've been chasing a problem in this engine for about a month and before I got to the point of doing the timing set, I did a lot of other stuff along the way. If more info is desired the following post has it. <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=004279 <br /><br />Back to the present: So since the timing set gig requires removing the fuel pump and of course draining the oil, I decided to install an oil filter relocation kit, which I've wanted to do for years. <br /><br />So, after I got everything back together, I put in full synthetic oil (first time I've ever used it in my boat), made sure everything looked kosher, prayed and fired it up.<br /><br />It sprang to life, but now I have a loud knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the top end around number 4 cylinder. <br /><br />I did not attempt to investigate this because it was totally dark out and I am frankly worn out. <br /><br />The things going through my head at the moment are these: <br /><br />What could I have done that would have ruined something in the top end? I was extremely careful with the timing set install and although it took me an awfully long time to do it, I didn't encounter any problems with it. It went together very smoothly. I haven't done any work like this in about 30 years so maybe I did something in the removal/installation process that put something on a bind. could the process of removing or installing the damper have done this???<br /><br />Certainly the new distributor couldn't be a problem, could it??? <br /><br />Is it possible that the oil filter relocation kit has whacked the oil pressure enough to make something in the top, back end complain?<br /><br />Is it possible that the synthetic oil freaked the engine out? <br /><br />To do the timing set, I had to pull the fuel pump, and the water pump came off with the front cover as an assembly, so I never had to regasket the water pump. I don't however, believe either of these could be a problem. I don't see any water of fuel leaks. <br /><br />The only thing I see that I know is a problem for sure is the casting that the oil filter screws into (on the relo kit) has a leak. Not at the hoses or fittings, but a pin hole or hair line leak in the actual casting! You can't see a crack, but you can see the result of it. However, it's not gushing oil or anything, just a little steadily getting out, but I'll still have to deal with that and I'm thinking I'll pull the thing off and put the oil filter back in the block just to see what happens. <br /><br />I'm really not sure what to do next. Should I plan on pulling the valve covers and having a look, and if I do, what should I look for?? I am only guessing that it's number 4 cylinder. Maybe it's not even rocker arm or valve noise!!! Frankly I haven't done any serious wrenching since I was a much younger man and I'm not up on a lot of things that probably seem obvious to most everyone else. <br /><br />Well, I know there's tremendous knowledge on this forum and I hope you folks will give me some direction. <br /><br />Regards, crt.
Hi folks.<br /><br />Well I finally got my Ford 302 (888 Mercruiser) back together after installing a timing set and a new Mallory breakerless distributor. Note: I've been chasing a problem in this engine for about a month and before I got to the point of doing the timing set, I did a lot of other stuff along the way. If more info is desired the following post has it. <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=004279 <br /><br />Back to the present: So since the timing set gig requires removing the fuel pump and of course draining the oil, I decided to install an oil filter relocation kit, which I've wanted to do for years. <br /><br />So, after I got everything back together, I put in full synthetic oil (first time I've ever used it in my boat), made sure everything looked kosher, prayed and fired it up.<br /><br />It sprang to life, but now I have a loud knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the top end around number 4 cylinder. <br /><br />I did not attempt to investigate this because it was totally dark out and I am frankly worn out. <br /><br />The things going through my head at the moment are these: <br /><br />What could I have done that would have ruined something in the top end? I was extremely careful with the timing set install and although it took me an awfully long time to do it, I didn't encounter any problems with it. It went together very smoothly. I haven't done any work like this in about 30 years so maybe I did something in the removal/installation process that put something on a bind. could the process of removing or installing the damper have done this???<br /><br />Certainly the new distributor couldn't be a problem, could it??? <br /><br />Is it possible that the oil filter relocation kit has whacked the oil pressure enough to make something in the top, back end complain?<br /><br />Is it possible that the synthetic oil freaked the engine out? <br /><br />To do the timing set, I had to pull the fuel pump, and the water pump came off with the front cover as an assembly, so I never had to regasket the water pump. I don't however, believe either of these could be a problem. I don't see any water of fuel leaks. <br /><br />The only thing I see that I know is a problem for sure is the casting that the oil filter screws into (on the relo kit) has a leak. Not at the hoses or fittings, but a pin hole or hair line leak in the actual casting! You can't see a crack, but you can see the result of it. However, it's not gushing oil or anything, just a little steadily getting out, but I'll still have to deal with that and I'm thinking I'll pull the thing off and put the oil filter back in the block just to see what happens. <br /><br />I'm really not sure what to do next. Should I plan on pulling the valve covers and having a look, and if I do, what should I look for?? I am only guessing that it's number 4 cylinder. Maybe it's not even rocker arm or valve noise!!! Frankly I haven't done any serious wrenching since I was a much younger man and I'm not up on a lot of things that probably seem obvious to most everyone else. <br /><br />Well, I know there's tremendous knowledge on this forum and I hope you folks will give me some direction. <br /><br />Regards, crt.
<br /><br />Regards, crt.