Thread: 350 small block knock at idle rpms

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where can i get the chemicals and testing stuff needed to test for the presence of hydrocarbons in the sooling system?

thanks,
shad

How about this suggestion? You said you checked your distributor and said the timing was out. Did you check the harmonic balancer? Pull number 1 spark plug out, oh ok pull them all out, rotate engine untill it's at TDC compression stroke and see if the timing mark on the balancer lines up with the timing tab. If it does ok, if it does,nt then the outer ring of the balancer has loosened and started walking around the hub and there goes your timing. While at it I would test your distributor centrifugal advance, take the cap off grab the rotet and twist it, it should move on the advance springs and snap back. If not pull the distributor and strip down completely clean lube and free up shaft and hopefully that'll cure the problem.

I had a 327 in my 57 chevy that made the same noise
i ignored it then last summer while leaving Spanky,s
pizza number 7 piston rod went thru the oil pan.
now i have a new ballanced 350 4 bolt.

When was this engine last rebuilt?

ok guys, ive got it running cool!

the problem was either a weak oil pump or a partially plugged oil screen. i replaced both with melling products. this is good news in that it doesnt overheat, but bad news in that i dont know if there has been any damage to the engine. it bothers me that there would be stuff in the oil pan. most of the 'stuff' appeared to be old brittle peices of gasket. compression test is good and it seems to run fine...what do you think? should i tear it down and rebuild???

thanks for all your responses and suggestions, etc...!!
shad

hmmmmm. Sounds like you can either take it apart now, or just let it take itself apart eventually. If the pump was toast and/or the pickup screen was plugged, it's a cinch there's damage to the motor.