Rebuilt engine making clicking sound

[66stangbluework]

We just tried to fire up our rebuilt 289 today and we have a clicking sound coming from the front of the engine. We removed the fan belt and the sound continued so this rules out the water pump. We adjusted all the valves so its nothing to do with them I dont think.

Is it safe to assume its something related to the oil pump? Oil is bieng pumped through the valves and everything seems to be going fine except for the sound. I suppose it could also be something to do with the timing chain but im not sure what. We had the engine completely gone through at a machine shop so I would like to think its something on our end that got messed up.


Would it be possible to have a bolt that is too long hitting the timing chain or gear something like that. Thank you All help appreciated.

 

[1Bad67]

There are several things that could cause the noise that you describe Here's a few things to check. Exhaust leak at the header gasket, Arcing plug wire, If you put in roller rockers with stock valve covers the rockers can come in contact with the valve covers. Also were the small plugs installed in the oil galley under the intake - if not you'll have very little oil pressure.

 

[66stangbluework]

its not really that kind of a sound, its something internal clicking or rubbing on something as it moves around.

 

[66stangbluework]

is it possible to put the oil pump shaft in backwards, If so would this lead to a clicking/ wierd sound in the engine?

 

[mustangdave]

Timing chain interference is common with 351W but I have not heard of the problem with 289's. If you cannot figure it out soon, remove the timing chain cover and look for marks where something has been rubbing. Different timing chain sets have different offsets and the aftermarket doesn't know what the hell they are doing when supplying parts like this for Fords.

 

[pabear89]

Check the fuel pump drive, if you didn't get the locking tang in place or tork the bolt, it will rattle loose.
Or is the fuel pump the proper one, correct arm lenght.


PB

 

[grego37]

use a piece of hose.
Hold one end to your ear, and with the other in your hand listen for the sound moving the hose around.
This will help you pin point the general area to focus on.

Did you break in the cam and lifters properly?

 

[66stangbluework]

we primed the oil pump, but not sure about the cam and lifters. Oil pressure is good Im going to try the hose thing tonight.

 

[TOM B]

Check the simple things first,,, is the dist cap on correct or the rotor hiting the cap.
did you install the oil slinger the right way, if not then when you installed the damper the slinger would crush against the timing chain.
Does it make the noise when just cranking the engine. if so, pull out the dist. and crank it again. Some fuel pumps tick before they go out, if its new and it ticks, take it back now. could be a lifter that wont pump up, if you adjusted them again and found one loose then also check that the the lifter studs didnt pull out.

 

[302 coupe]

you're not sure if you broke in the cam and lifters? That doesn't sound good.... You could have wiped a cam lobe flat, that'll make it tick for sure.

 

[grego37]

were the cam and lifters new?

how much running time are on the cam and lifters?

What was included in the rebuild?

 

[66stangbluework]

too be honest Im not sure of breaking in the cam and lifters, Im assuming that the shop did this but dont know. Included in the rebuild was new cam, pistons, rings, everything bearings etc. All new components.

 

[66stangbluework]

running time on the cam would be like 5 minutes tops.

 

[66stangbluework]

my dad wanted me to ask, If its possible to take the oil pump shaft out with a magnet from the top of the engine. Hes not sure if he put it in the right way.

 

[TOM B]

If the oil pump rod was installed correctly then your answer wound be no.
The rod needs to be installed from the bottom with the ring clip to the top.
This clip prevents the rod from pulling out when you remove the distributor.

 

[66stangbluework]

I ran that by my dad and he said that the ring moves up and down so you would be able to pull it out partially even if it was installed incorrectly but not all the way. Im definately thinking its oil pump related. Thanks for all he input. Also how would you break in the cam/lifters. We primed the oil pump but is there more your supposed to do than that?

 

[iskwezm]

I ran that by my dad and he said that the ring moves up and down so you would be able to pull it out partially even if it was installed incorrectly but not all the way. Im definately thinking its oil pump related. Thanks for all he input. Also how would you break in the cam/lifters. We primed the oil pump but is there more your supposed to do than that?

to break in a cam,get it started,DO NOT LET IT IDLE,you run the engine at 1500-2500 rpm for 20-30 minutes.When you let a new engine idle,the lifters dont spin and go flat,ASK ME HOW I KNOW(different reason) after that you change the oil to get all the moly lube out and then drive the car for a 100 miles and then change the filter(only)this is what I did after a week of chasing a ghost in my new engine.

 

[66stangbluework]

could the fact that the cam isnt broken in be causing this sound? Also how long would you think I had to run the car at idle to mess up the cam

 

[66stangbluework]

also is it normal for a new engine to get very hot during its first run? Im going to ge kicking myself for a long time if i !#@$ed up the cam.

 

[iskwezm]

could the fact that the cam isnt broken in be causing this sound? Also how long would you think I had to run the car at idle to mess up the cam

a few minutes