Ok, did my timing chain about 2 weeks ago. Followed 4Crawlers instructions (great write-up btw!)

Anyways, this past weekend.....i made a short trip to the lumber yard...and all of a sudden, the engine starts knocking. But here's the weird part. I was slowly making my way home, and it suddenly stopped?

Now, it basically comes and goes. When I do hear it, it usually occurs between 2500-3500 rpms. The engine still runs fine.

I basically just replaced the timing chain with the kit from Engnbldr, along with a new cover, and water pump. I did however use the original oil pump.

Now, about the oil pump. After I completed the timing chain project, i noticed the new crank seal i installed started leaking. It whipped oil all over the engine compartment. But it just did this once. I cleaned it up, and it hasn't leaked since? ??

Is it possible my oil pump may need replacing? Perhaps there is not enough pressure for the tensioner to work correctly? Any other ideas?

I would pull it back apart something's not right. Maybe you forgot to tighten the timing chain guides or possibly something major.
It sounds like you already have to pull your oil pump again anyways to do the seal over. Did you take the oil pump apart? If you did take it apart did you line up the two marks on the gears inside the pump?
What's the oil pressure at?
Always double check your work I learned that from working on helicopters things are a little more critical on those than cars.

yeah, i'm gonna pop the cover back off again.. i don't remember lining up marks on the inside of the oil pump. i know that everything else was double checked however. i'm usually pretty anal about that. who knows, maybe i did miss something else.

If you have time to take it all apart again, wel all the power to ya. I would look at other things before I go and take the front of my engine apart again.
Those marks on the oil pump gears mean absolutely nothing as far as re-assembly goes, so don't bother with them.
Did you tighten down your valve cover too tight? It only needs to be snugged down with a 1/4 inch ratchet. You also may want to consider setting your valves at 7 & 11 if you haven't already done that.
Good luck with whichever route you take,

Tye

>>>*Noise or rattling that comes and goes can be related to a sticky tensioner arm. Dirt, grit, debris of any kind can find it's way in there, if it does, then hanging up is sometimes the result.

Also be sure the tiny tensioner holddown bolts aren't over-tightened, this can cause a slight distortion of the shaft housing with the same result.

Not likely the wrong upper oil pump bolt into the tensioner situation, that is normally rattle all the time from the getgo.

If your oil leak continues, you may need a speedisleeve kit....*EB

Thanx for the replies guys. I'm prolly gonna adjust my valves this weekend, just to see if it quiets down at all. Then i'll make sure the valve cover isn't torqued down too tight.

Last resort will be pulling everything back off again, and checking the tensioner, guides, etc. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

well, here's an update.

adjusted the valves to 7-11, and the engine valve noise definetely got quieter! a couple of the intake, and exhaust valves were waaaay off. also made sure i didn't crank the valve cover bolts down too tight. i just snugged them up.

the knocking is still there, but i've noticed a pattern. when the engine is cold, you will still hear the knocking between 2500-3500 rpm's. but after about 10-15 minutes of warm-up......it goes away.

now when i say knocking......it's not hammering or anything. it's almost a light, hollow sounding knock. can't really explain it another way.

i'm gonna pretty much write if off for now. the truck is a beater with 125K + miles on it. i'll keep driving it and keeping tabs on the oil and everything else. not worth my time or money trying to track it down at this point. if the engine goes......it goes. then i have an excuse to rebuild it, or swap something else in <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />