Loud Knocking noise
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Loud Knocking noise
My 73 302 4x4 truck has a loud rapid knock when idling.
My vacuum gauge fluctuates rapidly with the knock.
This started when I was driving down the freeway, I noticed that my truck was slowing down, from 55 mph down to about 48 mph. I was not going up any hills so there was no reason for the power loss. All my gauges were fine. and all of a sudden there was a thud and the knocking started. I pulled over right away at that point. I checked my oil, it was low but not that bad.
When I did check the oil, there was smoke coming out of where the dipstick was. I decided to check the spot at I use to add oil and there was smoke coming out of there too. I decided to turn on the truck to see what it looked like running and I heard the knocking and noticed the fluctuations on my HG vacuum gauge.
This seems sooo bad, but I hope someone has some good news for me. even if its something that I can fix without taking the engine out would make me happy.
Otherwise, if I need a new engine, any ideas on how I can do that as cheap as possible? Maybe get another same gen truck and do an engine swap?
My vacuum gauge fluctuates rapidly with the knock.
This started when I was driving down the freeway, I noticed that my truck was slowing down, from 55 mph down to about 48 mph. I was not going up any hills so there was no reason for the power loss. All my gauges were fine. and all of a sudden there was a thud and the knocking started. I pulled over right away at that point. I checked my oil, it was low but not that bad.
When I did check the oil, there was smoke coming out of where the dipstick was. I decided to check the spot at I use to add oil and there was smoke coming out of there too. I decided to turn on the truck to see what it looked like running and I heard the knocking and noticed the fluctuations on my HG vacuum gauge.
This seems sooo bad, but I hope someone has some good news for me. even if its something that I can fix without taking the engine out would make me happy.
Otherwise, if I need a new engine, any ideas on how I can do that as cheap as possible? Maybe get another same gen truck and do an engine swap?
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I know that the truck did not come with a 302 originally. I think it had a 360 but I am not sure.
If I need a new engine, what do you guys think would work best for me. This is no ordinary ford truck.
Pic one
Pic two
This is my offroad beast!!! And I have every intention of keeping her as long as I can.
I currently am running 38' tires and I dont see that downsizing any time soon. So with that in mind, I figure I will need a new transmission if I get a much bigger engine, I was thinking 460.
What do you guys think would be best? And why?
If I need a new engine, what do you guys think would work best for me. This is no ordinary ford truck.
Pic one
Pic two
This is my offroad beast!!! And I have every intention of keeping her as long as I can.
I currently am running 38' tires and I dont see that downsizing any time soon. So with that in mind, I figure I will need a new transmission if I get a much bigger engine, I was thinking 460.
What do you guys think would be best? And why?
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Saint Paul, MN
By the looks of how you use your truck, go with the big block. I don't believe that it's a direct bolt in but 460's and mud go hand in hand. With a 460 and a C6 you'll have more fun than you ever had with a 302. Bigger is better if you can afford it.
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From: Honkytonkville
"offroad beast" + "302" + "38's" = Scott not believing. Ok back to the story- if you've revved that 302 too much on the stock bottom end(which if you've been in mud, you have) I will personally guarantee you spun a rod bearing. Go get a new motor- 460s can be had relatively cheap, and even with a stock one you'll notice a world of difference. You will need a new tranny too, or a new bellhousing if you're running a 4 spd. You can get motor mounts to bolt a 460 to factory motor mounts for a 302 from either L and L products or transdapt, others on ebay too. I personally got mine from Jegs, and are transdapt brand. Got them there because there's a jegs store right up the road. Also, if you can post you vin we can tell what motor used to be in that truck, or if the 302 is factory. being a 1/2 ton it might have been a 302 stock.
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This occured when I was driving down the freeway so i was driving a steady speed. If its something that I can fix without taking the engine out I would love to save all the money, but at the same time,
I would like to start taking the truck to mud bogging competitions and would like to get a new engine to do that. As I and you all know, a 302 was too small for that truck.
I think I would like a 460, but not sure if that would be best. Any suggestions?
I currently have custom mounts for the 302. The original engine was a 360 and it has a 4speed transmission. Will I still need custom brackets or anything else to put in a 460?
I would like to start taking the truck to mud bogging competitions and would like to get a new engine to do that. As I and you all know, a 302 was too small for that truck.
I think I would like a 460, but not sure if that would be best. Any suggestions?
I currently have custom mounts for the 302. The original engine was a 360 and it has a 4speed transmission. Will I still need custom brackets or anything else to put in a 460?
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From: Honkytonkville
You can do a valve job with the motor still in the truck, but you have to pull the heads. I think you need to find out exactly whats wrong with it before you plan on fixing it. if you want to stay as cheap as possible, get a used 302 and drop it in there. Probably get a whole motor cheaper than the parts to fix yours if serious, and wont need any adaptors or anything because you already have a 302. Save a lot of time too over diagnosing and fixing yours too.
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would I be able to throw in something like this without getting a new transmission or any of that other mess? Or at least avoid most of it?
http://www.rpmmachine.com/ford-351w-408-stroker.shtml
http://www.rpmmachine.com/ford-351w-408-stroker.shtml
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From: Honkytonkville
what transmission do you have? I don't think we've ever cleared that up...BUT essencially yes- building a windsor for your truck will utilize the same motor mounts/ transmission bellhousing.
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I dont know what my tranny is exactly, I do know its a 4 speed with a granny gear for first.
I dont think its the original tranny as on it in chalk it says 191k. So i guess its a rebuild or a junkyard part.
Truthfully, this truck with 38 inch tires(and I'd drop the tire size down but the wheel wells have been cut and it would not look as BA with smaller tires) and the fact that I want to make it a dedicated off road beast and get something else as a daily driver. I really love the truck and would like to get into mud bogging competitions with it.
I would like to do one of 2 things, Fix up my truck as cheap as possible or get it all done right and start competing and get a daily driver. I have 4.5k coming to me for my tax refund and I have a 2005 banshee I am looking to sell for 3k. So I have some cash that I can use to get this done right if needed and still get a daily driver.
If I was to get a new engine, what mods should I get off the bat that are best to have while the engine is out already?
I dont think its the original tranny as on it in chalk it says 191k. So i guess its a rebuild or a junkyard part.
Truthfully, this truck with 38 inch tires(and I'd drop the tire size down but the wheel wells have been cut and it would not look as BA with smaller tires) and the fact that I want to make it a dedicated off road beast and get something else as a daily driver. I really love the truck and would like to get into mud bogging competitions with it.
I would like to do one of 2 things, Fix up my truck as cheap as possible or get it all done right and start competing and get a daily driver. I have 4.5k coming to me for my tax refund and I have a 2005 banshee I am looking to sell for 3k. So I have some cash that I can use to get this done right if needed and still get a daily driver.
If I was to get a new engine, what mods should I get off the bat that are best to have while the engine is out already?
Last edited by maddhatteraz; Feb 19, 2008 at 01:04 PM. Reason: extra post
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
ok, I did not read this thread before I posted into your other one. If you are going to use this truck for mud drags, I would want the most power I could get to spin the tires. A stroked windsor will make good numbers, but a 460 with the same kind of money put into it will bring many smiles to your face. Drop a used 302 into it for now, buy yourself a honda ricer so you can save money on fuel, and use said fuel savings to build yourself a kickarse motor. www.460ford.com
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Originally Posted by masterbeavis
ok, I did not read this thread before I posted into your other one. If you are going to use this truck for mud drags, I would want the most power I could get to spin the tires. A stroked windsor will make good numbers, but a 460 with the same kind of money put into it will bring many smiles to your face. Drop a used 302 into it for now, buy yourself a honda ricer so you can save money on fuel, and use said fuel savings to build yourself a kickarse motor. www.460ford.com
And would a 460 be a better fit for what I am wanting to do compared to a 390 or a 351w?
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
A 460 is a factory fit with the right pieces. If you have AC, I have read you won't clear the fan box with after market tall valve covers. As far as the engine mods are concerned, don't take my advice, goto that website I linked and search there. Those guys build high HP engines all the time, and know their stuff. www.460ford.com