[Sun Tuned]

My guess on the other is that the bushing in original msd has crapped the bed and a bunch of that debris went through the bearings and the oil filter mostly through the bearings. That's what I would say happened first.

Bottom bushing should not have trashed itself that fast.

I saw that deal here not but 6 months ago on a friends 455.

[Va68goat]

Scott Stoneburg,

I had Scorpion aluminum rockers at the time of the build but we switched to 1.65 Crower rockers. There were some marks on the old rockers but most likely it was from a tool not from rubbing. Paul set up the rockers and I know he would have verified if the rockers were rubbing or not. Just to be safe, we went ahead and switched them out. Paul suggested the thicker gaskets and we've verified that nothing is touching the valve cover. As for being able to hear the knocking noise on the dyno...I think I should stay off that topic because I've been told two different things. I have my thoughts.

Baron Von Zeppelin,
Thanks for the information. I hope that I don't ever have to have this motor leave Virginia again but that information is appreciated.

Region Warrior,
I'm pretty new to cars but with the damage to the distributor bushing located and repaired but the exact knocking noise is still present, it could be that this is not a part failure issue (Distributor bushing). It's possible that the distributor bushing is the result of something that was missed when the motor was built and when it was torn down. I'm pretty confident that we're close to finding out the real problem. These are the witness marks that were located on the oil pump shaft. We switched out the oil pump and the shaft and the knocking noise was still present. Thats why I don't think this is a timing or ignition issue or a part failure of the distributor bushing. Of course I'm new to cars but I'm just looking at the totality of the circumstances. Believe me...I hope it's something stupid but at point it's just hard to say. I know one thing...me and my friends are spending a lot of time diagnosing a problem.

ponchjoe,
I don't think that has been checked but we'll look at it.

[Va68goat]

HWYSTR455,
Yes, Paul had me send another distributor gear when the distributor bushing was discovered. Since the noise is still present after it was repaired, I think it's a little safer to assume that the distributor bushing is the result of a greater problem and was not a part failure as it was described. I know it's not 100% certain but it makes sense. Though it's a rare problem, it looks like a possibility and could have been missed when the motor was sent back to Arizona. If we switch the distributor and the knocking noise is still present, then it's more likely that it was missed. I don't want to post pictures of the plugs that I took yesterday because I think it's just going to distract away from the real problem. I sent the pictures to Jeff, you and a few of the guys that have helped me. If the motor is missing and the plugs are showing lean, that will get addressed when the knocking noise is eliminated. The more diagnosing and letting that motor run without fixing the problem, the more apt that the bearings and piston rings will get damaged again. We have plenty of time to get the timing right and the idle. I think we're close!!!!