knocking noise

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

SmallsTX

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2018
Posts
26
Reaction score
14
Location
Central TX
First Name
Patrick
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
So my 81 k10 has recently started knocking, any idea what it could be? its a 350 sbc

heres a video

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
1,659
Reaction score
2,255
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Get a stethoscope from RA. Is it from top end or pan, louder or quieter under load?

Drain oil any metal?

Could get an oil analysis but that will take a week or so.

Try pulling valve covers and look for loose rockers.

These are just suggestions to narrow down.
 

SmallsTX

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2018
Posts
26
Reaction score
14
Location
Central TX
First Name
Patrick
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
no oil or metal from what i can tell, when rpms go up the noise seems to simmer down a bit, ive got valve covers pulled now. just trying to figure out if i need to redo all the rockers and go from there or just send it to the shop. to be honest it sounds like it could be bottom end, someone said could be the fly wheel?
 

SmallsTX

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2018
Posts
26
Reaction score
14
Location
Central TX
First Name
Patrick
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
Get a stethoscope from RA. Is it from top end or pan, louder or quieter under load?

Drain oil any metal?

Could get an oil analysis but that will take a week or so.

Try pulling valve covers and look for loose rockers.

These are just suggestions to narrow down.
how tight do the rockers need to be?
 

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
1,875
Reaction score
3,268
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
Hard to tell from video, i can also hear an exhaust leak/flap. I once boughta square for cheap once because the guy thought it was knocking. Had headers i changed that side exhaust gasket in napa parking lot on my way home lol. I hear the sound in the video
but hard to say. Does it quiet when idling in gear? Quiet when you start it up in the morning and progresses as it warms?
 

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
1,875
Reaction score
3,268
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
There's another recent thread that touched on Rocker arm adjustment on like page one or 2 of it. Can't remember the name. Maybe I can find it again.
 

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
1,875
Reaction score
3,268
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
I have know idea how to share but it's called

What zero lash on the lifter rod should feel like?
 

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
1,659
Reaction score
2,255
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
If exhaust leak, piston slap noisier cold. Rod quieter cold. An exhaust leak can be easily diagnosed with a stethoscope.

If a valve has excess lash that is usually a sign of wear or loose adjusting nut, try to rake any lash out as described in previous thread.
 

JBswth

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Posts
151
Reaction score
119
Location
Vallejo, California
First Name
James
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C25
Engine Size
292 cubic inches
So my 81 k10 has recently started knocking, any idea what it could be? its a 350 sbc

heres a video

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Sounds more like clattery lifters than a knocking sound.
 

JBswth

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2022
Posts
151
Reaction score
119
Location
Vallejo, California
First Name
James
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C25
Engine Size
292 cubic inches
how tight do the rockers need to be?
With both valves on a cylinder closed, and the lifters on the base circle, the rockers should be 2 turns tighter than zero lash, assuming that your hydraulic lifters are good. Best to set them with the engine running and warmed up, that way you will be able to tell if a lifter is stuck, as the cylinder you are working on will start missing when you make the rockers any tighter than zero lash if that lifter is stuck.

Mike
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,299
Posts
913,285
Members
33,799
Latest member
jp wessels
Top