Knock/Rattle from driver's side of engine, HELP!

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ExoticLSC

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Hey everyone! I was wondering if I could get some help or advice on my recent discovery. Today, when I started my '93 Mark VIII there was a knocking sound coming from the engine (much louder that any cam tensioner rattle that I've heard). The sound quieted slighly a few seconds later, but is still there and getting worse. It sounds like something in the valve train, with the noise emitting from the front driver's side of the engine, near the top. The knocking, of course speeds up with increased RPM. I am embarassed to say that I found the engine to be almost 2 quarts short of oil (suspected leak at rear main seal), so I added two quarts of 5w30 with no improvement. Is it possible, that running that low on oil could have starved the top end and caused damage?? It really sounds like it is coming from no lower in the block, than the wristpins.... If anyone has any input, please let me know what you think this could be. The car has about 150K on it. Thanks in advance,

-Joe MIchael
 
RE: Knock/Rattle from driver's side of engine, HELP!

Could very well be a stuck lifter.They're fairly common.You might thave to pull the valve cover to check.
 
RE: Knock/Rattle from driver's side of engine, HELP!

I'll have to check that out.... How would I go about getting it "unstuck" if that's the problem?? I had my mechanic listen to it today and he seems to think it's a rod knock, I sure hope he's wrong, but he's very knowledgeable and I've known him for years. I guess I'll have to wrench at my cam covers and see what I find..... How would I be able to tell if it is stuck, anyway?? I haven't really worked on any cammers, only pushrod motors. Thanks,

-Joe Michael
 
RE: Knock/Rattle from driver's side of engine, HELP!

It could be a broken valve spring and a bent valve. I'm in the process of repairing mine and it had the same symptoms you described.

Eric
 
RE: Knock/Rattle from driver's side of engine, HELP!

Do the mark 4v engines suffer from the same cracking crank gear key as the early cobras? If so that might be the culprit. I have heard one that sounds like the engine is coming apart, and be nothing but that cracked key
 
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