My ERA 428FE started to knock tonight - Page 4

Gaz64 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2018, 04:53 AM

I don't know why we are wasting time with borescopes, camera apps etc.

Get the valve train working, and it will run fine.

I've had this too many times, and it is NOT like a broken valve spring.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2018, 10:13 AM

Yep, just bolt the new stuff on, make sure nothing's hitting anything, fire it up, and if it sounds like something else is broken, then deal with it at that time. I bet it runs just fine.

egreaves20 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2018, 06:54 AM

Agreed. The rocker arm broke so the valve never opened therefore could not have touched the piston. That’s my view.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2018, 10:47 AM

Now, watch it window the side of the block on the first crank.

Gaz64 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2018, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Now, watch it window the side of the block on the first crank.

Don't scare the OP like that.

Many have said no damage to valves or piston.

Now just get the valvetrain setup again.

egreaves20 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-2018, 07:52 AM

Looks like more than I expected, found bent push rod. Leakdown test at 60% on that cylinder. Head is coming off next to look at valve.

eschaider · #7 (**permalink**) 08-18-2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egreaves20

Looks like more than I expected, found bent push rod. Leakdown test at 60% on that cylinder. Head is coming off next to look at valve.

Sad to say, this has the finger prints of a bent valve ...

When you take it apart, if the valve is bent, be sure to replace the guide and also touch up the seat for the new valve and guide.

Ed

CCKW353 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-18-2018, 08:55 AM

Ouch but good to know now vs later... had the same issue with and GM motor, while I working on it, decided to check the push rods and found a few surprises.

egreaves20 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 03:31 AM

Yeah, seems so. Hopefully will know next week and start repairs.

Danr55 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 06:14 AM

It actually looks like the one rocker arm has been operating under water for 3 weeks. That looks like rust or some other type of corrosion. And the way those pushrods all set it looks like the rocker arms are the wrong length. It's all hard to tell just looking at pictures.

FWB · #11 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danr55

It actually looks like the one rocker arm has been operating under water for 3 weeks. That looks like rust or some other type of corrosion. And the way those pushrods all set it looks like the rocker arms are the wrong length. It's all hard to tell just looking at pictures.

if i was shown the pic of the damage with no explanation, i would have said the motor sat for a while and when it was fired the carnage occurred.
we may not be given accurate info, rockers don't rust with engine oil on them period. so why didn't they have oil on them?

davids2toys · #12 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 06:22 AM

Yeah, in that pic it sure looks to be longer!

66AC · #13 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 06:36 AM

Ok, ok, so it appears that head needs to come off and inspection of the head and cylinder and valves needs to occur. Really not a biggie. Hope Jim can button it up and get er done like new or better.

egreaves20 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 01:43 PM

It’s not rust, it does look like rust but it’s more like aged oil that’s dried up, moist to the touch. Car was built in 1995 and I bought it in late 2014 with 4900 miles on it. I drive it often, has 6400 miles on it now. Mainly weekends for about 20 miles and done some 200 mile round trips in it over past year or so. Always ran great and never any issues apart from this.

Danr55 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 02:01 PM

Have you measured the pushrods to be sure they are the same length? I know that photos make things look like something they are not, but the two shown here sure appear to be different lengths.. Have you checked the length of the rocker arms to be sure that you have the right ones for the heads you are running? All of the pushrods appear to be rubbing or close to rubbing on the head port. Either of these issues can create a situation that will work for a while.. right up until it fails.. Much like what happened here. Having screwed that pooch, I know all too well.

egreaves20 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 05:02 PM

I’ll ask if the push rods are different lengths but I can’t imagine that’s the case. The failure was the broken rocker arm, it ran perfect before that happened. Either way I plan to have all of the push rods replaced along with a new rocker arm assembly.

Gaz64 · #17 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 08:07 PM

Could have a seized valve in the head, could be a valve retainer hitting the valve guide.

Either way, I say both heads need to come off.

I'd pull all the pushrods out to see if they are the same length.

Hydraulic or solid cam?

Was all the critical clearances checked for valve operation during the build?

egreaves20 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-20-2018, 03:53 AM

I really don’t know, but the paperwork said the 428FE was re-built as original by Danbury Competition when the car was made. I’ll ask Jim who is doing the motor work now.

egreaves20 · #19 (**permalink**) 12-14-2018, 04:42 PM

Just an update. Car is back and all repaired. Rocker shaft broke and as a result, bent push rods, crushed lifters and bent valves. So, both heads removed, machined and completely redone, new valves, lifters and roller rocker setup. While motor was out, had clutch, flywheel, rear main seal and starter replaced. Not cheap, but done right. If you don’t have end stands on your rocker shafts, get them installed quick to avoid what I went through!

Gaz64 · #20 (**permalink**) 12-14-2018, 06:04 PM

Good to hear a happy result.

Gary