79-2000- constant clicking

[minimike]

I would not have thought that could happen. Very interesting. I'm pretty sure the head and pistons are now scrap or sculpture.

[cduffy]

Is there a timing mark on the aux shaft? I know where to look for the valve cams and crank pulley.

Here are a few photos:

Look at the marks of the holes aligned with the pointers.



Look at the auxiliary shaft alignment. You will see a mark in the pulley... an indent. That needs to be aligned with the tensioner bolt as in the photo. If not, the knocking will turn into a new engine - here, take a look - Can engine block be fixed

Thank you wachuko for posting this information, the pictures really helped a lot. My car has made an awful racket since I bought it a year ago. I suspected a spun rod bearing but the guy I bought it from swore it was just the cam lobe tapping against the shims. After reading this post I decided to tackle it this morning.

Well actually I started out the day planning on replacing my stereo antenna and instead, 5 hours later and I had replaced the timing belt, water pump and aligned the auxiliary shaft properly. It was actually about 170 degrees clockwise of vertical instead of 34. Additionally the exhaust cam was two teeth counter clockwise from aligning to the pointer.

Funny thing is I have driven it every day for a year now and other than the knocking it didn’t run to bad!

Thanks again to you and everyone else for all the excellent help I get from reading this forum.

[minimike]

CDuffy,
thanks for the photos. I think I've found similar or someone already posted them on this thread. I'm now well past that. If you have a look back at my head and pistons. The carb swallowed a bolt at the minimum. Time to get the spare engine running.

[minimike]

Mark and other pro's.
My mechanic buddy without seeing the pix, suggested that I smooth the rough spots on the head, and fill each area with gasoline upside down, valves closed, to see if the valves are sealing. Also smooth out the pistons all to avoid hot spots, and then reassemble what I've got, and use this engine till it craps out.

Please chime in. I've ordered a heavy duty head gasket and new rocker box cover gaskets just in case. Already have a new timing belt. He might change his mind after he sees the pix, but I'm inclined to go give it a try.
mike

[BEEK]

it will run, it may last for some time. but a piston could fail, probably would not, but.... i have seen and run motors not quite that bad without any problems. my suggestion is if you feel you need to do it, go ahead. it may last a week or 5 years. i would start saving my money for a replacement motor. just in case

[So Cal Mark]

you need to make sure there aren't any sharp edges left that could cause pre-ignition. Heck yeah, grab the die grinder and go to work. The pistons don't look too bad above the rings, so go for it

[2ndwind]

Ok, It is clear the head is a mess but I thought you didn't find any actual foreign material in it, so what would be causing the clicking? I haven't opened one of these yet. Do the pistons come up flush with the top of the block?

Ps. The Russians build cars with huge engine tolerances, so it will probably last a while. Just make sure you drive it in dirt, mud, muck, snow & cold. Don't fail to have a bottle of vodka in the trunk for the eventual day.

[minimike]

2nd Wind,
I thought about that clicking sound today when I showed the head to a friend. There were two bits of studs crushed into the
head which I plucked loose. I'm guessing that those bits might have been what I heard. I'm thinking about putting the head back on the car after I smooth out the rough areas, and same on pistons. I'm in the hunt for a 1800 head now, and have lots of folks looking for me. If the valves seal when closed, I'll pop this head back on. Meanwhile, I'll know if I have other issues with this engine, and if it runs ok, I'll see what condition the synchros are in, as well as suspension, etc. I have a donor 2000cc lump with trans which I need to rotate before I pull it from the rot box shell. I'll keep it as a spare or drop the whole thing in if my original gearbox is sloppy.