ryank9398

1990 L98
I installed 1.6 roller rockers. I reused the pushrods. I broke off the drip rails on the valve covers and test fit. I went 1/2 turn past contact with the pushrod, when each valve was closed. I ran the motor with covers off to nothing was slapping around. After I broke off the drip rails, I ground down sharp edges and washed with soapy water. So I took it out for a test ride.
After the motor came to temperature, I gave it WOT to about 110mph at which point i noticed the oil temperature increasing much faster than the water. The car has KC9 oil "cooler".
When I came back to the garage, I can hear a faint light knocking. I took the covers off and checked lash again, no problems there. I even checked a few of them by loosenibng while running until it clicked, then another 1/4 or 1/2 turn.
The knocking is bad as it starts up, very light at idle, and more noticable with a bit of throttle. I feel its getting a bit louder too the more I start it.

I don't want to take the oil pan off at my house. I'm thinking I either wrecked a lifter or the cam, a rod bearing or main bearing. What do you think?

Gene D

Is your oil pressure the same as it used to be?

JackDidley

If the oil was heating up real fast, you may have spun a bearing.

cv67

try pulling plug wires off one at a time while its idling see if it goes away
if youre lucky you may just have an exhaust leak

ryank9398

Oil pressure seems the same as before.

ryank9398

That is a good idea! Thank you.

s carter

I would run a Compression test, Just to rule out that you Didn't Float a Valve and hit a Piston, and now you could have a bent Valve or a Damaged Piston.

While the plugs are out for test, Blow some Compressed air inside the Cylinders just incase some Debris or Carbon wound up in Cylinders during the Job.

One point you didn't Mention is the noise top end or Bottom.

ryank9398

I pulled each wire one at a time, the noise was still there. I think its louder under the car.

383vett

How is your rocker arm geometry? Do you have clearance between the retainer and the radius of the rocker arm?

ryank9398

Update: I put the stock rocker arms back on, no effect. This is the stock cam. I checked compression; all between 210 and 180psi. I decided to pull the pan off here at my house.

What I have not mentioned yet was the massive dent in the front part of my oil pan when I bought the car. I had just fine oil pressure and it took 4.5qt, so I left it be for now. I had a replacement oil pan ready to install. I didn't know that the oil pickup tube was in the front part of the pan. The dent had knocked up the pickup and I'm sure it starved for oil. The third rod can be moved slightly by hand.

Next post....engine build plan.