Essex Engine Knock

[Taddyffore]

I have a ‘78 3000S with the Ford Essex V6. 100,000 miles. It has a knock in the engine. What are my options? Can I drive it? I’m in the US.

[tones61]

Probably the fibre cam wheel breaking up

[GAjon]

Can you definitely correlate it too the engine? Ie as it revs the knock increases with the revs?

Does it knock when the cars stationary?

Is it a rattle type knock or a thumping knock?

Is from the top or the bottom of the engine?

Did it start suddenly or has it built up and got worse.

Edited by GAjon on Wednesday 3rd June 19:07

Edited by GAjon on Wednesday 3rd June 19:08

[TvrJohn]

GAjon the engine whisperer

[Taddyffore]

It’s like Oliver Hardy hitting Stan on his head with a stick, knock, knock, which speeds up when RPM increases. The knock appeared suddenly within the last few weeks. It’s metallic knock, I would think the fiber gear would be more dull breaking up. I’ve only listened from the top rear of the engine. Hope this helps, but now I’m wondering if I should drive it at all or get it to my mechanic. Thanks for the help.

[GAjon]

Sounds like a spun big end bearing.

I wouldn’t drive it, get it checked out by a mechanic.

In technical terms, it’s only a bit fked at the moment if you keep driving it will become completely fked!

[Taddyffore]

Yeah, that’s what I think. Just bought this car last fall. Oh well. Thanks for your input.

[Adrian@]

A thought...has the fuel pump been replaced. After-market pumps without a nylon face on the operation arm run metal to metal on the cam AND if they are not set up with the correct spacer plate/gasket can 'slap' with a horrid tapping noise, akin to a little end knock.
It is worth removing the pump and creating a temp blanking plate (set up by running the engine until the choke is open, air filter off and have a small container to directly feed the float chamber with a half cup of fuel manually as you will need to re-prime the carb after the test) and running the car without it installed as a test. A@

[Taddyffore]

I will check that. Keeping my fingers crossed..