Engine knock

[Coryg]

Hello , this is my first modular motor and don't know much about these motors. The car has about 133k, all original. I bought it from an older lady about a year and a half ago with 125k. The car has had nothing but synthetic oil changed religiously as per the records I was given with the car. The car had the "normal" rattle that everyone talks about. The other night I was driving down the highway and it started knocking. It was not low on oil. The knock sounds like it's coming from the top end on the driver side. I put an oil pressure gauge on it, had about 55-60psi at idle. The oil pressure gauge was jumping in this area. Is this normal? Pulled both valve covers and both look good with no issues. The timing chains are both tight and do not seem to have any issues. I don't know what other steps to take. I was going to drain the oil tonight and see what comes out. I was also planning to pull the plugs and look down in the cylinders with a camera. Could this be a lifter issue or something that would be making a noise up top. But it is a loud knock like a spun bearing but coming from the top end. Sorry for the novel. Lol. Just trying to get all that I know and have checked out there.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Cylinder 8 has poor cooling and can overheat causing bent valve.

[RubberCtyRauder]

you need to do a compression check on all cylinders, but my guess is number 8 is bad.

[RF Overlord]

55-60 pounds at idle seems quite high. When warm, these motors generally run closer to 25 or so...

[RubberCtyRauder]

wher did you put a oil pressure gauge on it? the factory oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge,reads 55-60 ALL the time wether you have 6 lbs. or 100 lbs.

[sailsmen]

For ~$28 get an oil analysis.

[RF Overlord]

wher did you put a oil pressure gauge on it? the factory oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge,reads 55-60 ALL the time wether you have 6 lbs. or 100 lbs.

What I said above plus this ^^^

[Coryg]

I have a manual oil pressure gauge by kd tools. I removed the oil pressure sensor and threaded it in that hole and that gauge was reading that. I know the regular gauge in the car is a dummy. I tested the oil pressure when the engine was cold.

[RF Overlord]

I tested the oil pressure when the engine was cold.

Then your numbers were probably valid, but if possible you should re-check when the engine is at operating temp.

[Coryg]

Can I do a compression test with the valve covers off or will it sling oil everywhere?

[tbone]

Oil everywhere....

[the fat bastid]

Cylinder 8 has poor cooling and can overheat causing bent valve.

That reminds me, isn't there a cooling mod that fixes this?
Is 95,000 too late to bother with it?

[Coryg]

Oil everywhere....

That's what I thought...

[RubberCtyRauder]

That reminds me, isn't there a cooling mod that fixes this?
Is 95,000 too late to bother with it?

never too late, search head cooling mod.

[Jtrip]

You're in Gainesville? What color is your car? I'm in Gainesville all the time. I have yet to see another marauder in the wild when I'm driving mine.