Knocking sound from right side of engine

[rocky]

I took my '77 Spider out this morning. It ran pretty well, but was idling a little rough. When I got home, I adjusted the idle and the everything seemed fine. I started the car again and a loud knocking sound began from the right side of the engine. I shut the engine off and restarted it. The same knocking sound. Could the timing belt jump a tooth or two and bent a valve? I am a little hesitant to start it again. Any ideas? Thanks.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[ClarkTheShark]

well the engine is supposed to be a non-interference engine. so i doubt you bent a valve. the only thing that can interfere is the aux shaft cam lobe, itll come around and hit rod #2 if its not in the right position. you could take the oil pan off and see if you have a rod bearing shot. My personal favorite is taking the oil filter off, cutting it in half and inspect for bearing babbett. looks like pretty glitter.

[rocky]

Clark,

Thanks. I just changed the oil, too. Oh, well. I'll take your advice and remove and inspect the filter before dropping the pan. If it is a rod bearing maybe this is time for a complete rebuild or should I sell it as a parts car and buy a pre-74 Spider? Something to think about. Thanks, again, Clark.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[manoa matt]

Its possible your timing belt slipped and the aux lobe is hitting the connecting rod. Removing the pan is a pain in the A$$.

I would take the plugs out, put the car in neutral, block the wheels or ebrake. Then turn the engine over by hand to line up the timing marks. Engine turns clockwise when viewed from the front looking back.

When you are turning it over you should be able to feel if something is binding or interferring.

[rocky]

Matt,

Good to hear from you. If I didn't tell you I got the steering wheel, I did and thanks gain. It makes driving a lot easier. I would rather not drop the pan if I can possibly get away with it. This will be a lot easier to see if there may be a problem. At least I won't get to dirty doing it this way. Thanks. I'll be back in Hawaii at the end of the month. I'm taking a 2-day project management class and then Grandma's 90th birthday on July 4th. I'll buy you dinner and a beer.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[narfire]

Knocking on the right side? is that the pass. side looking forward or driver side looking aft? Driver side.. take Matts advice and try and turn by hand.. Pass side.. not sure what that would be.

[mdrburchette]

If you go ahead and line up the cam and crank timing marks, it'll be easy to see if the aux shaft is also timed properly. I would think you could eliminate the aux shaft hitting the #2 rod if it's in the right position.

[rocky]

Thanks for all the sound diagnostic procedures. I love this forum and its members. This will give me a simpler start to determining if there is a need to go further and drop the pan. Thanks, again, all. Have a great weekend.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[rocky]

It took a while for me to get at this problem, went on vacation. Using the tips from everyone, it became apparent that it wasn't the timing belt, the motor turned by hand with not problem. Pulling the head and checking the valves would be easier than dropping the pan to check the bottom end. I found the cause of the noise, a nut dropped into carb and got sucked into the #2 cylinder. I have no idea where the nut came from, everything was accounted for?? At any rate, the piston and cylinder wall was damaged and I decided that I should rebuild the motor. The good news is that I have the money to do this, the bad news is that I got the money from the insurance company when my Alfa Romeo GTV was totaled a few weeks ago . A 17-year old girl rear ended me. I'm going to miss that car. Rebuild the motor, redo the interior and new paint. I just might have a new favorite car . Thanks for your help, everyone.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV (gone but not forgotten)

[mdrburchette]

Glad you found the problem, but sorry you had to sacrifice one for the other.

[rocky]

Denise,

I keep telling myself, its just a car. I'm a lot more OK with it than I thought I would be. My wife was actually more upset about it than I was. I think because she just looked so darn good in it. This is what it looked like. I hope it worked.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39722869@N ... 452840176/

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV (I'm gonna miss it)

[So Cal Mark]

nice looking Alfa, I can see why your wife was upset! Will your Spider rebuild be a stock motor, or some enhancements?

[rocky]

Mark,

It pretty much will be a stock rebuild. If I lived closer to you, I'd let you do your magic. Thanks.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV (I'll never forget this one)

[kmac33]

Greg,
That was one beautiful Alfa . It is a huge shame that it was totaled.
Since you are going to rebuild, I'd highly recommend some "enhancements". It will be well worth the slight increase in cost versus a "stock" rebuild.

[rocky]

Greg,
That was one beautiful Alfa . It is a huge shame that it was totaled.
Since you are going to rebuild, I'd highly recommend some "enhancements". It will be well worth the slight increase in cost versus a "stock" rebuild.

Kevin,

Thanks. It really was a great car. It was more reliable than my Volvo. That GTV never failed to start and run.

I thought about some modifications, but I think what I'll do is just keep it pretty much stock with the exception of the Crane Fireball ignition already on it and maybe clean up the head a little. this is also a good time to replace the water pump, clutch and rebuild some of the suspension bits. I love the way it runs and I'll just make sure that it remains in a high state of tune. I also want to make sure that it will pass the smog certification in California. But I definitely will repaint, refresh the interior and put a new top on her. Pics of the car when it runs again.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV (gone but not forgotten)