Glad to hear it fires right up now. Just remember to push in the choke once it's warmed up enough. LOL.

The knock on mine isn't so much a knock as it is a tapping. In order to tell you what the knock is on yours I'd have to hear it. If you can get a recording of it, I will give you my private email to send it to and then I could tell you what it sounds like to me, and how to take care of it.

The worst knocks are only fixable by pulling and disassembling the engine, such as wrist pins and con rods. Bearings and the like. Lifters are a bit simpler, just requiring removal of a valve cover and radjustment, but lifters are more of a tapping sound then a knock. Lifters can also be caused by a defective lifter, but again replacement isn't that hard, generally just have to remove the rocker in question along with the pushrod, remove the intake and remove and replace the offending lifter. Also if you have access to an engine stethascope, then I suggest using it if possible. Or take someone for a small ride around the block who can use it while the doghouse is off, to help you pinpoint where the knocking is. Making your own engine stethascope isn't too hard but you need to start with a medical one.

 

i,ll get a recording of it today- it sounds like a knock to me- but maybe its a tap- hopefully its something simple- it doesn't seem to effect the engine performance at all, the van runs and hauls good- and only knocks on the highway-

if i had a doghouse i might not hear it so badly-

thanks for all your help-

 

Ah no doghouse, yeah that will definately make things MUCH louder. Even if it's not sealed perfectly it will increase the noise level.

 

Your timing is too far advanced, or the EGR isn't working (if it has one)

 

Thank you! i will look further into the EGR valve- it seems like a likely culprit based on the symptoms, hopefully i can just clean it, they are almost 80$ new at autozone-

I will post a recording soon-

And i will post if that fixes or doesn't fix the problem-

 

this thread should end- my Van was impounded because it wasn't registered and it was parked on the street where i was working on it.

thank you to everyone who responded to my questions. I have learned a lot more about Ford engines in the process.

yesterday i bought an 88 350 econoline for 100$ it has a problem where it wont shut off. The previous owner ran it until it ran out of gas so could shut it off.

it seems to me -though haven't properly diagnosed it- that the ignition lock is malfunctioning- when i turn it with the key in it does nothing-and doesn't give me any resistance

the lights on the vehicle are constantly on when the battery is connected,

i will make a new thread about this van.