Ned,
Check if you've blown an exhaust manifold to downpipe gasket. This
can happen suddenly and can make a sound like a loud tappet or even
something in the gearbox. You'll only hear it with the engine running.
You may or may not see carbon buildup around the leak. If it sounds
like it's coming from that general area, you'll have to get the car on
jackstands--good ones, please--start the engine, and stick your hand
up there to see if you can feel the gas pulses (CAREFUL: HOT). There
is probably a better way to check, but I can't think of it offhand.
bs
***************************************************************
Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell@comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000 '56 Austin-Healey 100M
***************************************************************
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Ned Smith" <smithn00@kitepilot.net>
> I took the Healey out yesterday and put fifty Interstate miles at near 70
> mph. Seemed to be running fine. Oil pressure starts at 60 and goes down to
> 42 at operating temp. Water temp is under 190. Today I went to town and
> stopped at a few places. When I started the car at my last stop, a loud
> ticking (knock?) quickly developed and I turned off the engine.
>
> Called a wrecker and brought the car home. I took the valve cover off
> thinking maybe a valve adjusting screw had come off (I adjusted the valves
> last week). No visible problems. I started the engine and heard the knock
> and observed oil coming out of the rocker arms. Some were spurting but most
> were oozing. Turned off the engine. The sound seems to be coming from the
> very front of the engine.
>
> I removed the spark plugs and spun the engine. No knock was heard.
>
> I'm not sure where to go from here.
>
> Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Ned Smith
>
> BJ8
>
> near Chattanooga, TN
>
> N34.98 W85.5
|