Engine derped really hard. Tryna find out what's wrong.

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

So one day near the end of a 25 mile trip home, then engine dropped power, and started to sound like unholy things, including death. Even with it sounding as horrible as it did, I was able to get it home, and beyond the noise, it drove fine. I'm trying to figure out what might be wrong, so I know if I need a new short block or not, but one thing I think may have happened is the timing chain may have broken? It sounded like something was bouncing around low
down, so maybe that could be the cause? I have it down to the heads, and the plugs out, but the valves are all straight, no rockers are broken, and the plugs looked perfect. Anyone have any input?

**Scottydoggs** · 07-23-2015

should have posted a vid before you tore it down. now its a total guess.

unless you took a few?

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

I didn't get any videos of it, but it sounded like something was bouncing around, and the belt was squealing off and on, which hadn't happened before. Doesn't sound like a knock at all.

**Scottydoggs** · 07-23-2015

no idea with out hearing it run, so you may as well get a new bottom end if you found nothing wrong with the heads.

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

Great ��

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

Know anyone getting rid of a short block?

**Scottydoggs** · 07-23-2015

Originally Posted by TheDarkAngel

Know anyone getting rid of a short block?

i got the last one i know of. ( your a long way from NJ too) junk yards and cl is where you need to start tho.

**J57ltr** · 07-23-2015

You need to Herp it a little more. So describe the noise besides "death" and "horrible" use better descriptors. Knocking, Clunking, Ticking are all acceptable. If the timing chain broke or skipped a tooth the engine would not run......at all. Maybe the tensioner for the timing chain is going out. But why did you tear the top end off when the sound was coming from the bottom? It's a little late but invest in a mechanics stethoscope it will help you pinpoint problems in the future.

Jeff

**Slick2500** · 07-26-2015

Originally Posted by J57ltr

But why did you tear the top end off when the sound was coming from the bottom?

Jeff

x2?

**JamesIvey24** · 07-23-2015

pull the oil pan, report back what you find the bottom.

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

I plan to take the engine out either tomorrow or Saturday, so I'll know for sure then, and it was mostly a clunking found, but like something was knocking around a cylinder.

**J57ltr** · 07-23-2015

Check the dampner had one make me think the engine was toast.

Jeff

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

There's a wrench n go an hour and a half from here, so I might try that this weekend, and other than that, engines hover around $400 on Craigslist.

**Scottydoggs** · 07-23-2015

thats fair for a l67. if you can only get a n/a engine only, you can always top swap it with your old parts.

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-23-2015

Well it was N/A to start, and that's the price for another N/A. But I have the parts to top swap.

**FordMan77** · 07-23-2015

Does the A/C compressor spin freely? I've seen them lock up and cause all sorts of strange things, including belt squeal. If you have the heads off how do the tops of the pistons look? Any chips/missing pistons?

**TheDarkAngel** · 07-25-2015

The heads came off today, and both the heads, and the pistons were perfect. No scoring in the cylinders, and no metal on the drain plug either. Would it be something to do with the timing chain or tensioner?

**J57ltr** · 07-25-2015

Well that might have been mentioned before.

**Turbocharged400sbc** · 07-26-2015

Sounds like the ac compressor clutch and bearing are a likely possibility. ...but I'm going to guess that you did not go through proper diagnostics and check with the belts off.

**99GT2dr** · 07-26-2015

The first thing I'd have done was pull the belts, not the heads. If it still makes "unholy sounds" without the belts, then you might have an engine problem.