My 86 22re has always been a noisey engine, but now I think it is at the end of its life.

When the motor isn't under load I can hear some very loud rod knock but under load the noise isn't there.

I have to travel 1100 miles (all hwy) in two weeks, if I keep the engine under load as much as possible should I risk the trip? Would running 20w50 help hold it together? When I get home I am going swap in a new motor so i am not concerned about damge to my crank.

What would you guys do?

rent a car or swap the motor first and plan on renting a car if you don't get it done. It would probably be OK but if you break down 500 miles from home you are gonna have to rent a U haul and trailer to haul your stuff back, cause it is to far for AAA, going the rental car route would be the safer bet. It also depends if the trip would be ruined by the breakdown or if you could roll with it.

Once I was out romping pretty hard in the mud, my engine developed a knock like your describing. I pulled the spark plug wire off the cylinder that was knocking, and drove it on home. This was on a V8, and I was only about 15 miles from the house, so I took it real easy. I would go the rental route to be on the safe side. Usaully a rod knocks when in a load, not the other way. Just my nickels worth:p