VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 engine knock

My 1916 490 has developed an engine knock. I listened to it run using a stethascope and cant really hear a knock through the oil pan but when I listen by the rocker arms can hear it plain on number 3 cylinder. I am wondering if I can drop the oil pan and plastigage number 3 rod cap bearing clearence and maybe remove some shims if needed. My vision is very limited now but realy hate to take engine out and send it off to a machine shop to be line boed! Any suggestions? Ron

HI Ron,

I had a problem with some engine knocks when I rebuilt the '28 engine that is in Lurch back in 2017. The babbitt bearings that you have in your 490 are similar and I suspect the troubleshooting would be similar too.

Yes, you can drop the oil pan and get to the bearings with the engine still in the vehicle.

I documented my rebuild in the VCCA 1912-1928 category. Note: I did an inexpensive rebuild, so I did not have new babbitt bearings pored. When (and if) this engine gets rebuilt in the future, it will need new bearings poured and line bored.

Here's a link to where I dealt with the engine knocks: https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/404082/re-resurrecting-a-28-4-banger.html#Post404082

If you want to read the whole engine rebuild adventure, it starts here: Ressurecting a '28 4 Banger

Hope this helps. Dean

Thanks , I will have to get some help but will give it a try.