My ERA 428FE started to knock tonight - Page 4

66AC · #61 (**permalink**) 08-07-2018, 04:38 AM

I suspect that Jim will need to pull that head off to find out if the #8 piston has been damaged by the valves which were just bouncing around. (in which case he will probably pull both heads off and the intake manifold) I have the Harland-Sharp roller rockers in my FE and so far they are working really nicely. He will probably use new pushrods and new head bolt sets as well. He will most likely inspect the heads to make sure they are in good shape. I have seen a set of OE FE heads with massive port erosion yet most are just fine.

Is the ERA being worked on in Jims bay or in one of the bays inside Automotive Restorations facility?

Gaz64 · #62 (**permalink**) 08-07-2018, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66AC

I suspect that Jim will need to pull that head off to find out if the #8 piston has been damaged by the valves which were just bouncing around. (in which case he will probably pull both heads off and the intake manifold) I have the Harland-Sharp roller rockers in my FE and so far they are working really nicely. He will probably use new pushrods and new head bolt sets as well. He will most likely inspect the heads to make sure they are in good shape. I have seen a set of OE FE heads with massive port erosion yet most are just fine.

Is the ERA being worked on in Jims bay or in one of the bays inside Automotive Restorations facility?

No need to pull the head off.

It's only a broken rocker shaft.

Loss of one valve, gives a bit of noise, and a misfire.

2 hours work and 8 cylinders again.

Karl Bebout · #63 (**permalink**) 08-07-2018, 09:36 AM

Just for grins, I'd want to take a peek at the top of the piston, but I'd be satisfied with looking with a bore scope and not going through the work of pulling intake and head. There are many, hand held/w their own screen, for under $100. Also, there are many scopes that work from and app through a smart phone, using the phone's screen. I've seen these for under $20 and the one I have works just fine.

66AC · #64 (**permalink**) 08-07-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Just for grins, I'd want to take a peek at the top of the piston, but I'd be satisfied with looking with a bore scope and not going through the work of pulling intake and head. There are many, hand held/w their own screen, for under $100. Also, there are many scopes that work from and app through a smart phone, using the phone's screen. I've seen these for under $20 and the one I have works just fine.

Great idea.... saves a ton of work for sure!

Texasdoc · #65 (**permalink**) 08-07-2018, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

There are many, hand held/w their own screen, for under $100.

The one I got was garbage. Broke after two uses. Couldn't see anything on the low-res screen anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Also, there are many scopes that work from and app through a smart phone, using the phone's screen. I've seen these for under $20 and the one I have works just fine.

Which one do you have? I've been looking at these but wasn't sure how well they work.

undy · #66 (**permalink**) 08-08-2018, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texasdoc

The one I got was garbage. Broke after two uses. Couldn't see anything on the low-res screen anyway.

Which one do you have? I've been looking at these but wasn't sure how well they work.

I have one of "those" phone app scopes and it works fine, Camera FI as I remember the name. Here's a picture of my buddy's 68 Dodge Charger's camshaft where the fuel pump shaft rides. All pictures were taken through the fuel pump shaft hole.

Gaz64 · #67 (**permalink**) 08-08-2018, 04:53 AM

I don't know why we are wasting time with borescopes, camera apps etc.

Get the valve train working, and it will run fine.

I've had this too many times, and it is NOT like a broken valve spring.

patrickt · #68 (**permalink**) 08-08-2018, 10:13 AM

Yep, just bolt the new stuff on, make sure nothing's hitting anything, fire it up, and if it sounds like something else is broken, then deal with it at that time. I bet it runs just fine.

egreaves20 · #69 (**permalink**) 08-09-2018, 06:54 AM

Agreed. The rocker arm broke so the valve never opened therefore could not have touched the piston. That’s my view.

patrickt · #70 (**permalink**) 08-09-2018, 10:47 AM

Now, watch it window the side of the block on the first crank.

Gaz64 · #71 (**permalink**) 08-10-2018, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Now, watch it window the side of the block on the first crank.

Don't scare the OP like that.

Many have said no damage to valves or piston.

Now just get the valvetrain setup again.

egreaves20 · #72 (**permalink**) 08-18-2018, 07:52 AM

Looks like more than I expected, found bent push rod. Leakdown test at 60% on that cylinder. Head is coming off next to look at valve.

CCKW353 · #73 (**permalink**) 08-18-2018, 08:55 AM

Ouch but good to know now vs later... had the same issue with and GM motor, while I working on it, decided to check the push rods and found a few surprises.

eschaider · #74 (**permalink**) 08-18-2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egreaves20

Looks like more than I expected, found bent push rod. Leakdown test at 60% on that cylinder. Head is coming off next to look at valve.

Sad to say, this has the finger prints of a bent valve ...

When you take it apart, if the valve is bent, be sure to replace the guide and also touch up the seat for the new valve and guide.

Ed

egreaves20 · #75 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 03:31 AM

Yeah, seems so. Hopefully will know next week and start repairs.

Danr55 · #76 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 06:14 AM

It actually looks like the one rocker arm has been operating under water for 3 weeks. That looks like rust or some other type of corrosion. And the way those pushrods all set it looks like the rocker arms are the wrong length. It's all hard to tell just looking at pictures.

davids2toys · #77 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 06:22 AM

Yeah, in that pic it sure looks to be longer!

66AC · #78 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 06:36 AM

Ok, ok, so it appears that head needs to come off and inspection of the head and cylinder and valves needs to occur. Really not a biggie. Hope Jim can button it up and get er done like new or better.

FWB · #79 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danr55

It actually looks like the one rocker arm has been operating under water for 3 weeks. That looks like rust or some other type of corrosion. And the way those pushrods all set it looks like the rocker arms are the wrong length. It's all hard to tell just looking at pictures.

if i was shown the pic of the damage with no explanation, i would have said the motor sat for a while and when it was fired the carnage occurred.
we may not be given accurate info, rockers don't rust with engine oil on them period. so why didn't they have oil on them?

egreaves20 · #80 (**permalink**) 08-19-2018, 01:43 PM

It’s not rust, it does look like rust but it’s more like aged oil that’s dried up, moist to the touch. Car was built in 1995 and I bought it in late 2014 with 4900 miles on it. I drive it often, has 6400 miles on it now. Mainly weekends for about 20 miles and done some 200 mile round trips in it over past year or so. Always ran great and never any issues apart from this.