Engine Knocks At Idle

[1965-Mustang]

I am having a problem with my 65 289 mustang. I just re-adjusted my timing and now the timing marks are lined up perfectly and engine starts right up but now the engine knocks. It sounds like its coming from the drivers side valve cover. It did not do this at all before. Is this a timing related problem or is it just a coincidence something like a rocker or spring went bad while doing it? I think I am going to change the oil tomorrow as it probably could use it and see if that helps at all, should it?

Thanks

 

[PONY XPRESS]

Pull the cover before you go any further & inspect your valve train. Seems to be lots of valve train issues on this board.

 

[Ozsum2]

Advance the timing and see if it goes away. Why are you trusting timing marks anyway? That isn't the way to time a 35+ year old engine.

 

[351carlo]

Advance the timing and see if it goes away. Why are you trusting timing marks anyway? That isn't the way to time a 35+ year old engine.

I second the 'don't trust the timing marks' idea. You really can't go by these marks. You might get lucky and they may be correct, but from my experience they're normally pretty far off.

I learned the hard way, after working for over 30 minutes trying to get the distributor timed close enough to keep the thing running.

 

[1965-Mustang]

Thanks for replies! I have actually tried advancing it a bit and figured not to trust those marks to much. Thanks I'll go back out and try it again.

 

[Booksix]

So how do you time a motor without timing marks?

 

[Cdaniel]

So how do you time a motor without timing marks?

With a vacuum gauge and your ears
Learn more here:
http://www.automotivemileposts.com/garage/v2n8.html