New engine quirks

[JohnV]

So, I'm new here, go easy on me...lol
I just replaced my 305 in my 87 Silverado with a stock 350. Everything is good with the engine. I'm now chasing some chirps, some minor knocking, mainly when I accelerate. Idles like a boss sounds very smooth. All the rockers were set after engine was put in. I have a video where you can hear it, hopefully I can upload.
Thanks for any advice. Can't upload the video.

 

[shiftpro]

Just Kidding John, welcome and thanks for joining in.

Hopefully the knocking is some pre-ignition from your timing being to far advanced.

Do you know how to time and engine? Even by ear?
When you hit the starter does the starter labor?

 

[JohnV]

My uncle has been helping me along with things. We set the timing at ’0’.
It starts right up, no problems there. Idles great, and we just changed the fuel pump this past Friday, now it really runs good. Just the noises are annoying as hell.

 

[mtnmankev]

Disconnect and plug the vacuum advance hose, set timing at about 8 degrees before.
The engine won't "ping" at that setting, so any knocks are something else.

 

[mtnmankev]

What proceedure did you use to adjust the valves?
Please explain in detail.

An exhaust leak can make a loud ticking sound, almost like a knock, especially under acceleration.
Check the manifolds to make sure there's no issue there.
A length of hose can be used as a stethoscope so you can pinpoint any noises if the exhaust is leaking somewhere.

 

[JohnV]

My uncle set the valves according to a step by step in a manual he showed me. He's done this stuff his whole life. I'm just now getting into all this at 49, a little late to the party... Lol
I was leaning towards an exhaust leak.
May try some of the things you guys are advising to me. We had the timing set at 4, that was before the fuel pump situation, so may go back to that setting.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I can attest to a ticking exhaust leak noise. My park avenue(sedan, v6) has an audible note that increases with rpm but is not present under low rpm. The engine is quiet but if it were damage or wear you would hear it at idle, too. Some soap on a cold manifold told me a gasket on the block leaks on a middle cylinder at rear of engine. AKA not getting fixed till its illegal.

 

[climb-101]

timing should not be at zero, there are tons of videos on you tube on how to set it. Also there are tons on how to do valves, i would double check those as well. if nothing else its good to know how to do them.

 

[JohnV]

I have learned to set it. I've seen a lot of different opinions on what to set it on. Sticker under hood says 0. Just getting some advice.
Thanks everyone

 

[mtnmankev]

John, you are very welcome, advice is free and this site has many friendly and talented folks with lots of experience to draw upon. The info sometimes varies with their experience and situations, but you can learn a lot from them.

Usually, the sticker says what's required to meet emissions standards as dictated by our government.

Maybe I march to the beat of a different drummer, but I tune my engines by ear (I guess 50 years of practice can cause that) and I set the timing to where the engine sounds happy and doesn't labor upon starting or ping on acceleration.

An engine is just a form of an air pump, and if all is correct, it will tell you when things flow correctly and it likes it.

I find it amusing when somebody puts a timing light on the engine because they doubt I did it right, or are just curious, they find it's at 10 degrees BTDC and they're amazed at how sweet it sounds and runs.

 

[80BrownK10]

So, I'm new here, go easy on me...lol
I just replaced my 305 in my 87 Silverado with a stock 350. Everything is good with the engine. I'm now chasing some chirps, some minor knocking, mainly when I accelerate. Idles like a boss sounds very smooth. All the rockers were set after engine was put in. I have a video where you can hear it, hopefully I can upload.
Thanks for any advice. Can't upload the video.

Sounds like your timing is off.

 

[80BrownK10]

I have learned to set it. I've seen a lot of different opinions on what to set it on. Sticker under hood says 0. Just getting some advice.
Thanks everyone

But you no longer have that engine so don't worry what the sticker says. Granted it's still a small block Chevy...still a different engine.

 

[JohnV]

Thanks for all the advice. The chirping sound was an exhaust leak. I plugged up the emissions ports, just not good enough... Lol... Purring like a cat now!

 

[AuroraGirl]

Thanks for all the advice. The chirping sound was an exhaust leak. I plugged up the emissions ports, just not good enough... Lol... Purring like a cat now!

glad we could help. do you mean the butterfly valve thing or the one for heating air cleaner?

 

[JohnV]

Not sure what you mean...lol
The old lines came out of each exhaust manifold. We didn't plug them good enough.