My new ride!

[Riff Raff]

Welcome,

Great price!!!

check the oil pan to see if it is dented (even a small amaount)...Mabey the U-Boat Skipper was Hi-centering it through the ruts and mud$$$

I had my second VX engine toast the crank berrings (the rod berrrings were still good) because the pan had a "small" dent in it...the oil pick-up is like 1/4" off the bottom of the pan!!!! just a small dent and now shes starvin for oil!!!

Hmmm, good point. All the more reason to get the KILBY "belly pan" skid-plates.

[Buffy]

I did a few oil changes on it last night and ran some SeaFoam through the crankcase then put some quality oil back in it. While under there I did not notice any dents on the oil pan but I wasn't looking for anything like that either. It still tapps, if I reve the engine by hand I can feel the tapping so something is definitely knocking against something. RamAirZ has given me some great suggestions as well. I think my next step is to take the valve cover off as the noise sounds like it is coming from where the cam gears are. If all looks well there then I will dig further and see what the timing set looks like. While it is running it idles and reves smooth.

[psychos2]

Check the timing belt tensioner.Mine went bad and I thought it was something really bad.It will keep enough tension on the belt so it doesn't jump,but it taps against the bracket and makes a bad noise.If you remove the top cover on the passenger side you can push on the belt and it should be tight .If the tensioner is bad you can make the tapping noise by pushing on the belt. shawn

[Buffy]

After much reading and advice, I think I am going to follow the instructions outlined in the "Replacing the timing belt thread". If I do not find the issue, bad tensioner or something like that, I'll pull the valve cove and see what is going on under there. I figure no telling when the timing set has been changed so plan on replacing it all. Shoot high and if I find simple stuff hooray! But after all that poking around and still don't find anything then I'll just spring for a motor. But let's hope for a cheaper solution!