Im not sure what it is / were its coming from. I know not the oil pan. You can only really hear it when it warms up.
Distribitor has roter has lots of play in it?
Also shifts good and runs fine when cold, but when heats up shifts bad and runs crappy ( not as much power)
I have youtube video so you can hear sound?
Please help cant figure out what issuse is!?

 

Try checking the exhaust bolts when its cold. Exhaust leaks can sound like lifters. Kind of sounded like possibly a cracked rod or such. I hope it isn't.

 

well it only makes the noise when its warm! and the funny thing is, once its warm it also doesnt shift right.
Like i said the distribitor has LOTS of play in it. Could that cause such a noise though?

 

Check the timing.

 

Could the timing really cause such a noise?

 

Detonation might which a too far advanced timing would set up. Detonation is firing the spark way before top dead center so that the combustion fights the engine cycling adding a detonating force against rotation which gives a sound like you hear. Its real bad for the engine. The noise you hear is possibly the detonation causing backlash being slammed out of the drive train the pre detonating piston or pistons are doing. If there is one problem like the distibutor being messed up causing all the problems it would figure the computer monitors the ignition module for what to do in shifting. If the distributor is out of a range it can handle the transmission is going to get generic info or get confused. Last I heard it seems ignition moduled default to a standard data for operating the engine when things are screwy.

Fixing the van has to be hands on by you or a mechanic. Check the plugs and read them for how the ignition is doing. There are pictures you can look up online to help diagnose things reading the condition of the plugs. Read up on how much backlash is tolerable by the sytem in the distributor rotor. It probably the gear at the ottom of the shaft thats worn out if it is bad. Read up on how to replace the distributor.

Check the timing to see if the distributor needs to be retimed. Rotors do have some play to them like almost a 1/4" maybe.

 

Try turning the distributor by hand in case its loose. If so you really are going to have to retime the engine and it was probably your problem all the time.

 

From my experience, an exhaust manifold leak is a distinct ticking noise. Not very similar to this.

 

Well its timmed right and still making the noise. Like i said it runs fine when cold and you cant really hear the noise. But when it heats up you can hear it and it doesnt shift right. ?

 

You need to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Use a rubber hose and hold it up to your ear.

 

update. replaced distritor. It seems to run much better now, but im still hearing the knocking noise?!?!?!

 

Does the knocking get louder if you hold the van against the brakes while revving in gear?

Sixto
'93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles

 

nope it doesnt. could it possibly be the flexplate bolts or torqe converter bolts???

 

Did you rule out a dirty or tired lifter? It might be sensitive to the drop in oil pressure as the oil gets hot.

This is a long shot but run it without the belt/s just long enough to determine whether it still knocks.

Sixto
'93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles