Changed Timing Belt, now Knocking...???

[DarkMesa8]

I just changed the timing belt on my 91LX. I lined up the cam and crank gears, checked it about 10 times now. Its a DIS car, but I lined up the auxiliary shaft gear anyways.

Got it all together, started right up, but there's a loud knocking (more like a tapping) under the valve covers. WTF? Wasn't there before.

Tore it all down, just leaving the exposed timing belt (and had a battery charger standing by). Still knocks under the valve cover.

I don't get it, what could changing the timing belt have done? I thought these were non-interference engines, so valves shouldn't be tapping even IF I weren't lined up, right?

Any ideas?

 

[SVO1]

when you spin it over the HLA's are compressed by the follower when the cam lobe comes over it.
Sometimes when they are bled down they will be noisy when you fire it up.
I have had them quiet up right away, I have had them quiet up 20 minutes later, I have had them quiet up a couple weeks later..
Just drive it, it will be fine.

 

[DarkMesa8]

Yes, thank you for the response.

After much research, I discovered exactly what you posted. Against that gut feeling in my stomach, I drove it. Went away once the engine temp started to rise.

I'll try it again tomorrow after a full cool down, but I now have high hopes.

Other than that, timing belt change went without a hitch (except for that damned crank bolt).