Rod Knock - Reman Motor Upgrades?

[Landbt15]

Hello all,
I'll try to make this quick and dirty.

Picked up an '03 Marauder with about 50k miles in January of 2017.
I commute 90 miles/day so the miles have quickly stacked up (currently 84k).
Just running the JLT intake and a MartyO tune.


About 2 weeks ago I started to hear what sounds like a rod knock on the bottom end of the motor.

Most prominently heard in last 10 seconds of video:
https://youtu.be/6-ePWrg14Vw

Ran it to a shop around the corner and the tech too thought that's what it sounded like.

-Called a local performance shop - not interested in the job.
-Called a shop that focuses on 4.6 jobs - quoted 10-14 weeks to rebuild existing motor.
-Called local Ford dealership - Said they don't have the schematics, so can't do the job.
-Called a shop that sells and swaps motors (Engine Transmission Exchange) - quoted $5.5k for putting in a reman Marauder motor.

SO...
1) Agree that it sounds like a rod knock?
2) If so, go the reman route, or rebuild what I have (have been told numerous times that it's not worth the labor cost)
3) If I go the reman route, is there anything that I should be looking to upgrade in the process? (potential SC in future)

As much as I'd like to have something next level (SVT motor, perhaps?), I work 80 hours a week and need my daily driver back on the road sooner than later.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Ben

[blazen71]

Whatever you do, do't go to ETE. Can you do the work yourself or do you need a shop to do it?

[Jtrip]

Hello all,
I'll try to make this quick and dirty.

Picked up an '03 Marauder with about 50k miles in January of 2017.
I commute 90 miles/day so the miles have quickly stacked up (currently 84k).
Just running the JLT intake and a MartyO tune.


About 2 weeks ago I started to hear what sounds like a rod knock on the bottom end of the motor.

Most prominently heard in last 10 seconds of video:
https://youtu.be/6-ePWrg14Vw

Ran it to a shop around the corner and the tech too thought that's what it sounded like.

-Called a local performance shop - not interested in the job.
-Called a shop that focuses on 4.6 jobs - quoted 10-14 weeks to rebuild existing motor.
-Called local Ford dealership - Said they don't have the schematics, so can't do the job.
-Called a shop that sells and swaps motors (Engine Transmission Exchange) - quoted $5.5k for putting in a reman Marauder motor.

SO...
1) Agree that it sounds like a rod knock?
2) If so, go the reman route, or rebuild what I have (have been told numerous times that it's not worth the labor cost)
3) If I go the reman route, is there anything that I should be looking to upgrade in the process? (potential SC in future)

As much as I'd like to have something next level (SVT motor, perhaps?), I work 80 hours a week and need my daily driver back on the road sooner than later.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Ben

I didn't hear a "knock" but if you say so. 84K? That's nothing unless it has been abused. I'd get a second opinion.

[Marauderjack]

Get a Stethoscope and listen to the cats......could just be a cat with broken media rattling!!:confused:

[RubberCtyRauder]

remans are not worth it imo. There really is no "quick" way to do a motor. removal and reinstall motor adds alot of labor $. Build a motor separate using forged internals and swap when done. front cover, oil pan, oil pick up, intake are marauder specific. and are no longer available new.

Try the stehescope and see if sound is from cyl.8 area on head , driver side rear, known bad spot for poor head cooling and can cause it to run hot and bend a valve.

Do head cooling mod if you build a motor.

[JimP]

In addition to what was mentioned in previous posts, check torque converter bolts / and flex plate for cracks. It doesn't sound like rod knock to me.

[justbob]

A rod knock will get a LOT louder and more pronounced with every 100 RPMs and down right scary by the time you hit 2,000 RPMs.. Is this what your experiencing?

Almost sounds like a cracked flex plate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stevengerard]

I had a noise like that from the cats last year

[crownvic97]

You definitely need to do some more diagnosing, that doesn’t sound that bad

[Grimrepairman]

Agreed. Doesn't sound that bad. You can change the oil filter, cut open the old filter and look for metal in the filter media.

[Chayton]

I had what sounded like FOR SURE rod knock, flex plate was cracked around the crankshaft bolts. sounded way worse than that. You need to have evidence that its rod knock before doing something drastic...

[Landbt15]

Thank you all for your time and input! Very much appreciated. Feeling a little bit better about the situation based on all of your feedback.

I will do the recommended diagnostics this week and investigate some additional shops in the area (pending results). As much as I wish I could dive into the motor myself and have a nice build, I don't have the mechanical knowledge nor time needed to do it properly.

Again, thank you.
Will keep you posted on updates. Need to keep another Marauder on the road!

Ben

[FordNut]

Better call MO