My ERA 428FE started to knock tonight

[egreaves20]

Yes, that’s where the motor was sourced and built back in 1995. I have all the original paperwork, showing a $6500 build price back then. Can they do everything or do they want just the motor?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by egreaves20

Yes, that’s where the motor was sourced and built back in 1995. I have all the original paperwork, showing a $6500 build price back then. Can they do everything or do they want just the motor?

I would not immediately assume the motor needs to be pulled. In fact, it might not be as serious as you would first think. I know that Joe is fond of using original Ford rocker assemblies for "mild" FE builds. It might just ease your mind a bit if you removed the spark plugs, removed the valve covers, and then turned the engine over by hand, via the crank bolt, with a ratchet wrench and pipe/jack handle. Watch the valve train assembly and look for broken/bent components, like springs, bent rods, broken rockers, etc. If you drove it home "clanging," then turning it over a few times with a wrench is not going to hurt it any more. Then, once you've done that, you can decide on the next step. Remember that FEs, especially with the original Ford rocker assembly, can sometimes bend a push rod, or break a rocker, when they're just sitting alone in the garage.... and it's not a terribly big deal when they do. Mostly, it's just a nuisance fix.

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by egreaves20

Yes, that’s where the motor was sourced and built back in 1995. I have all the original paperwork, showing a $6500 build price back then. Can they do everything or do they want just the motor?

Joe will want just the motor, but Patrick's suggestion makes sense. You can also give Joe a call and ask him what information he needs to diagnose it. He's not real talkative, but knows FEs and is honest.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Joe will want just the motor, but Patrick's suggestion makes sense. You can also give Joe a call and ask him what information he needs to diagnose it. He's not real talkative, but knows FEs and is honest.

I went to him for my build and he does very nice, meticulous work. Frankly, I would be astounded if you managed to spin a bearing, be it main or rod, with just 6000 miles on the engine and no incident of losing your oil, etc.

I went back and read your original post where you said "I was able to drive it 5 miles home by feathering the gas and minimizing the knock sound. Car still ran well and did not die at any stoplights." If you couldn't feel any problem, but could only hear a really scary sound, then there are other parts that are more likely than a spun bearing -- sometimes even the fuel pump can make a "knocking" sound, and that's not a bad problem. A youtube posting of the sound could help -- if you really did spin a bearing, then the damage is already done. But I hate to say "go ahead and fire her up and post a video."