[Va68goat]

So since I shared the information about the motor blowing up on the dyno, I've had a lot of guys sending me messages and calling me with questions and thoughts. I guess some guys don't feel comfortable putting stuff out there because there is so much controversy and finger pointing going on. Here is one point that was brought up several times.

Multiple guys told me that they believe that the distributor bushing was most likely damaged when the oil pickup tube fell into the pan and the motor blew up. Their reasoning for the damaged distributor bushing is, the motor lost oil pressure, starved the motor of oil and could have easily damaged the bushing, the camshaft and components directly connected to it. I don't know if any of this is possible? Anybody have any thoughts?

Here is an email from someone didn't want to post himself but said it was ok for me to cut and paste. Any thoughts?

This is important information for anyone who is interested in diagnosing the mysterious knocking noise. I feel that this information must be considered before attempting to correctly diagnose.

What is Known:

1. The tapping noise is not consistent. It is erratic. (Reference the slow motion video previously posted)
2. Every component and outside surface of the motor and transmission was checked with a mechanic stethoscope.
3. Only one specific point was confirmed to have contact with a pathway to the source
4. The noise was only picked up at the base of the distributor. (Nowhere else)

What does this information tell you ?

This means that ether the distributor is malfunctioning or a component that has a direct pathway to the distributor is malfunctioning. When the motor was sent back this last time Paul said that he found play in the bushings located on the bottom of the distributor shaft. Paul said he sent the distributor back to the manufacture and had it repaired. So if this is correct then it would not be the distributor.

There are only two other contact pathways left for the noise to travel to the base of the distributor. 1) The camshaft and components directly connected to it. 2) The oil pump or components directly connected to it.

I hope this information helps and good luck,

[Formulajones]

First lets look at the #1 you posted.

That erratic and non consistent noise was found by Paul the first time. That was the distributor bushing, and the reluctor wheel was cocked so far sideways it was contacting the pickup intermittently creating that clicking sound off and on. We determined this a long while back in this thread.

The noise you have now is not the same intermittent noise. What you hear now is pre ignition on your new video, the car is idling too slow and has too much initial timing in it. We've determined that already, and Paul even told you the distributor was pulled after the dyno to check the bushing, and dropped back in before shipment, with a note stating the timing will have to be checked again. That's why I said "bingo" on that post, because it relates directly to the issue I'm trying to describe here.

I don't see anywhere yet where that has been done and verified so until that is finished with numbers and new video posted, it's pointless to guess or assume. But I'm 100% confident there isn't a problem inside that engine. Not with the cam, not with the distributor, not with the oil pump or anything related to it. Paul dotted the I's and crossed his T's going completely through it.

[Va68goat]

torqhead,

Thanks for the info..That was helpful. I'll be buying a timing light after it gets timed tomorrow. Gnawing is an understatement...hahaha. It's frustrating because I have no experience with with these old cars and having to depend on friends becomes a burden. I'll be buying a lot of beer at the conclusion of this!