Notices

engine knock

Old Sep 30, 2003 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
cobden's Avatar
cobden
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
engine knock

I just bought a '78 ford F-100 with an original 300. It knocks quite a bit. It's been suggested to me to add a quart of tranny fluid to the oil when changing the oil and it will fix the knocking.
Has anyone else had this experience?
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 01:51 PM
  #2  
Big Orn's Avatar
Big Orn
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Re: engine knock

Welcome to FTE!!


Originally posted by cobden
I just bought a '78 ford F-100 with an original 300.
How long had it sat before moving it? A few years? I would not add auto tranny fluid to the engine oil anyway. If there's a light tap, like lifters or something, it could just go away with normal driving.

If it has not setup for long then there's really nothing you can do except change the worn parts. Don't fall prey to quick fixes or to myths that could cause further damage.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 02:01 PM
  #3  
cobden's Avatar
cobden
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. I don't know a lot about the engine. The old tiger I bought it from has told me a few doozies that I am now realizing. To be more specific, the nise is a loud "ticking" that does not go away when the engine warms up. He said it was professionally rebuilt a number of years back, and I know he didn't put many miles on it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 02:12 PM
  #4  
Big Orn's Avatar
Big Orn
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Can you tell if its an upper or lower engine tap/knock?

Another thing - if its an auto tranny - I have heard torque converters make a knocking sound if the bolts are loose at the flywheel

Has he got some kind of invoice or other document stating when and by whom it was rebuilt? Could just be a partial overhaul.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 02:25 PM
  #5  
cobden's Avatar
cobden
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I'll have a listen tonight and see if I can tell where the noise is coming from.
It shouldn't be the bolts on the torque converter. The rear main was leaking oil, and I fixed it. When I was in there I changed the Fly wheel. It ticked before the repairs, and it ticked after.
As for receipts, no can do. I bought it (fairly cheap) without driving it because it wasn't licensed. When getting it saftied I found out what his version of new brakes were. It needed everything. I then called him and he told me he put new pads on six years ago (onto rotors that were shot then). Needless to say we have different opinions of what "new" is, and I learned my lesson.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 02:34 PM
  #6  
Big Orn's Avatar
Big Orn
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Let us know.

In case you don't know: You can use a 2 ft length of old water hose or a screwdriver to listen for the tap/knock. Put your ear to one end of the hose while searching with the other - I prefer this method

Or with the BIG screwdriver: You can put the handle end to your ear and search with the working end.

Just don't let that working end get caught in a pulley - it doesn't look natural walking around with a screwdriver sticking out of your head!
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 02:52 PM
  #7  
KJKozak2's Avatar
KJKozak2
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
Yeah, the ol' Mechanics Stethescope (sp?). The hose is a much better idea as it flexes instead of getting jammed into your skull.

When listening for the noise, try to tell if it's a knock or a tick. Knocking sounds deeper like smacking the block with a hammer, where ticking sounds more like hitting it with a screwdriver.

Knocking is bad. Bad, like main or rod bearings. Ticking is usually not so bad like lifters or valves. Could be oil pump too.

Let us know what you find.

Kevin K.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 02:57 PM
  #8  
cowgirl_truckin's Avatar
cowgirl_truckin
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Montana
adjust your valve springs? mine did the same thing and finally one broke so i adjusted both sides then it purred like a kitten. don't know if that would be it, just a suggestion.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 03:19 PM
  #9  
dfisher1's Avatar
dfisher1
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
All,
A leaky exhaust manifold can deliver a "tick" just like a valve.
Inspect the exhaust manifold for signs of carbon build up(black stain). This is where it leaking at.
If it is a lifter, automatic tranny fluid can "unstick it" for you. This is not a "cure all" though. If the motor has worn rings you may very well burn your motor up. Automatic tranny fluid burns at a lower temp than motor oil and if it leaks by the rings it will burn behind the ring thereby turning to carbon. This binds the ring and can seize the piston, in worst cases. It's very interesting to pull one apart and see the damage, especially when its not mine!
Good Luck,
KingFisher
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 03:20 PM
  #10  
cobden's Avatar
cobden
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
The valve springs sounds interesting, and makes sense too. Others have suggested lifters too. I'll try and find out exactly where the tick is coming from and go from there. Thanks a lot for all your input.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xaviar
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Jan 28, 2020 12:45 PM
Speedjester
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
15
Oct 1, 2010 12:29 AM
hayfarmer550
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
22
Oct 22, 2007 10:00 AM
Rmvr53
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
15
Aug 4, 2007 11:00 PM
jcgriffin
2.6, 2.8, 2.9, 4.0 & SOHC 4.0 V6
42
Mar 24, 2004 11:06 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:02 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE