Need help with my 440 motor

[727]

Don't think you did something wrong. Just wondering if the valve train geometry is wrong.
Sorry to hear your tales of misfortune. With all those failures you could have bought a new crate 426 hemi and your face would be all smiles.
If we keep at it there are some sharp cookies on this site and I'm sure they will know what to do.
That was a big discrepancy in compression pressures. Any chance you could spin the engine over with the valve covers off to see if all your rocker arms are opening the valves the same distance. Pay close attention to the cylinder with the lowest pressure. Cams can wear a lobe flat( had it happen to me a couple of times).

 

[727]

Did you look down through the head at your cam when you had the covers off. You should be able to see a flattend cam lobe.
On another note: 191# compression pressure seems high. Would you say most cylinders are closer to the high or low reading?

 

[kiwigtx]

I will see if I can get my wife to take a video on her phone but not sure how to attach it here. If you can either send me an email to send it to or tell me how to attach it, I can send it to you.

The easiest way to attach a video here on a post is to drag and drop a link from YouTube. If you have not already got an account with YouTube setup, do so - it is easy also - and free. Posting to YouTube is easy also direct from a Smart Phone - and from there you can just drag and drop the link - or Copy & Paste a link to a post.

Here's a link which gives you the idea on how to setup your own YouTube Account - Channel;

 

[Bigal75]

Are you saying it's knocking? If it quiets down when warm then perhaps you have excessive piston slap.

 

[jimm69]

Don't think you did something wrong. Just wondering if the valve train geometry is wrong.
Sorry to hear your tales of misfortune. With all those failures you could have bought a new crate 426 hemi and your face would be all smiles.
If we keep at it there are some sharp cookies on this site and I'm sure they will know what to do.
That was a big discrepancy in compression pressures. Any chance you could spin the engine over with the valve covers off to see if all your rocker arms are opening the valves the same distance. Pay close attention to the cylinder with the lowest pressure. Cams can wear a lobe flat( had it happen to me a couple of times).

 

[jimm69]

I did look at all the valves opening and closing when I did have the valve covers off. didnt measure anything but didnt see anything that looked bad. Also, if the cam wiped out a lobe, I would think that I would have a lack of performance. I see that someone posted instructions on how to post a video. maybe tomorrow nite I can sit down and do that. LOL...took car out for a ride today and ended up getting it towed home because of vapor lock. go figure...car started right up after dropped off the tow truck.

 

[jimm69]

Are you saying it's knocking? If it quiets down when warm then perhaps you have excessive piston slap.

i wouldnt say it is knocking. only way to describe it is that it sounds like a duramax diesel running. from the exhaust side, it really sounds good. just loud coming from intake

 

[miller]

yes, did a compression check. all cylinders between 165 and 191.

Just going to comment...165 to 191...too big of a spread, and agree 191 seems pretty high. If all cylinders were running around 165, it would be good. If the motor was put together right, shouldn't be more than a 10% difference, between any of 'em. But, it also adds, from the parts used.

A note on compression tests...the so-called 'right way' (yeah, I believe it!), pull all the plugs. Block open the carburetor throttle plate, and pull the coil wire.
For each cylinder, allow it to 'hit' compression three times, then record it, going through each one. That gives the most complete readings.

Something is wrong on that puppy.

 

[IQ52]

Let's see here. It ate a valve and destroyed the engine. New rebuild with another block and it ate another valve. Put it back together and it's noisy. It sounds like pieces of that engine build are most likely hitting each other.

 

[67 coronet]

they make a mechanics stethascope.looks like a doctors,but were the round pad would be there is a metal rod for touching metal parts and finding knocks.i have traced down lots of strange noises from (as suggested)tolerance too tight from over mill and decking with stock size pushrods to wrist pin knock(thats a fun one to find).smoe times it just takes a ton of searching.best to post a good video with good sound here for others to listen too.

 

[727]

You can also buy a borescope for your I phone for $28.00 on eBay. It can get in some really tight spaces.

 

[moper]

Not sure on the history - but IQs right. If it's making noise, something isn't right. The compression readings are also messed up because of the varience. These things point to a problem. Give it to the guy that built it and tell him to fix it. It needs to be pulled out a careful disassembly inspecting everything for problems.

 

[Deleted member 25555]

All the trouble you have had maybe it has mixed parts. Like two different heads. Or one piston isn't the same. Maybe just the cam. Check the distributor drive. Maybe the gear is wore. If it's a roller cam maybe there are a couple broke/turned. The best honest way is disassembly and inspection.

 

[khryslerkid]

What I'm reading here, it sounds like noisy valves. Being described as sounding like a diesel engine, puts me in mind to loose rockers. Maybe pushrods are too short for the lifters that were used on the rebuild.
You said the shaft and rockers didn't show any wear. Could you "rattle" a rocker on the valves that were closed, when you were checking them out? If they are sloppy and there is play in the pushrod to rocker, then there isn't enough preload. They are hydraulic lifters I hope?

 

[mopar 3 B]

Not sure on the history - but IQs right. If it's making noise, something isn't right. The compression readings are also messed up because of the varience. These things point to a problem. Give it to the guy that built it and tell him to fix it. It needs to be pulled out a careful disassembly inspecting everything for problems.

You did not read the guy is dead?

 

[727]

I read an article where a guy was running his valve lash sloppy on his slant six and it made his cylinder pressure higher when he did a compression check. If one or more of your cam lobes is wearing down at a rapid rate it could cause the compression to read high. It may also cause the high cylinders to knock or cackle like a diesel

 

[Deleted member 25555]

Usually with a round cam love though you get backfiring in the carb under throttle. If it's an exhaust valve. It builds pressure then has to escape when the intake valve opens again. Or if an intake valve won't open it has a very bad misfire. Compression test would be low as it wouldn't draw any air inside.