Guys, I am working on a low budget build up. Got an 88.5 stocker in pretty good shape, a thorley header, wrangler springs and a pile of steel tubing. Also have an engine knock. The little booger runs great after a full tuneup, valve adjust, and general maintenance. Idles good, drives well, doesn't overheat, etc.. Just has a death rattle kinda knock. At first I thought it was a heat shield but no such luck.

Wondering if there are items to check before tearing into the lubricated parts. I had really hoped to make the motor last until the suspension was done, band-aid fixes are OK at this point considering that a full rebuild or swap is in sight. About 98K on the stock motor, from teh looks of things it was neglected prior to my scooping it up for not much.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Brian

its hard to know with out hearing it but my guess is the it is the valve tapers
well thats i'll i can think of
l8r: <IMG SRC="smilies/roxy.gif" border="0">

Mine's had a knock for about 15k miles now, 5 years of on and off driving.

Most likely just piston slap. Very common in sami's. Don't worry about it for now. <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

These Samurai motors are like the old F-head jeep motors. They tend to develop a terrible piston slap after 100k miles or so. If that is what it is, it can make your engine sound like a diesel when it is cold, and gets much quieter or goes away completely when it warms up. My old engine did it for five years. I finally got tired of the noise, no power, and spending wads of cash on oil, so I pulled it out. As long as you don't over rev them, these little 1.3's seem to go on forever and eventually wease themselves to death.

Knock, Knock, who's there? New motor <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">

They all knock

I have only seen one that didn't have piston slap.

God my 93 w/ 88k slaps like a dirty old..well you get the point....I am getting sick of the burning oil up at highway speeds..as Phatty said,
Knock Knock.. <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">.. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">