352 is very sick

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Nov 21, 2005 | 11:32 AM

wester

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352 is very sick

Driving down the highway at 70 mph Friday the engine puffed and speed dropped to 60 mph with no horsepower left. Started clanking and banging. Oil light flickered on and off. At idle there is a constant clanking sound. Some oil on driver's side valve cover and area behind that valve cover. Haven't tore into the 352 yet. Any ideas what to look for? Lifter rod? Thanks for any advice.

Nov 21, 2005 | 12:35 PM

bertha66

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From: Central Oregon

If not a rod bearing knock, pull valve cover and ckeck rocker arm shaft. But with the oil light flicker, you may have damaged the bottom end.

Nov 21, 2005 | 12:41 PM

banjopicker66

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From: Coal country

Sounds like a spun bearing, or a thrown rod.
That happened to my 352 a year ago this month.
I've got a 460/C6 in her now. Best of luck to you.

Nov 22, 2005 | 11:20 PM

wester

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Need more help if I can. I pulled the motor apart tonight as far as I could get done. Valve lifter rods are fine. Timing chain is tight. No oil in water, and no water in oil. Haven't found anything wrong with the valve covers off, intake manifold off, timing cover off, water pump, alternator, fuel pump all off. Valve springs are all tight, not a broken valve that I can see. Where should I go from here?

Nov 23, 2005 | 02:19 AM

GregTruck

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From: Ridgeway, Virginia

Make sure the oil return holes in the cylinder heads are clear. FE engines are known for plugging up with gunk and what happens is all of the crankcase oil ends up stuck in the valve covers while running down the road. It will slowly drain down after the engine is turned off and everything will appear as normal. Anyway you can run a coathanger down the holes to make sure they are clear. If this is the case other damage may now be there due to the lack of oil in the crankcase. I hope I'm wrong!

Just a possibility worth noting....

Nov 23, 2005 | 09:59 AM

wester

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Thanks Greg Truck. That makes sense. Driver's side could be plugged up, had more oil up there than the other side. Will check that right away, but there definately is more damage below, just haven't found it yet. Have to go rent a crank pulley puller to go further.