Please help. Bought a used 383 with 15k on the clock,saw receipts for the build dated a year ago. The engine sounded great on the engine stand and spun with no problems.There was a clearance issue with the windage tray. I bent it out of the way and re spun the engine, it cleared by a 1/4 of an inch. We installed the engine last night and built oil pressure. It shot up to 40 PSI. So we fired it up. 75 PSI at start up and when warmed up idled at 40 SPI. Oil pressure great.

The problem is that there is a knocking noise. Definitly from the bottom end. Sounds like a hollow knocking noise. I am hoping that some one will tell me it has something to do with the windage tray.

If not, has anyone been succsesful in replacing the bearings without removing the engine. I am getting tired of pulling it out every month.

As usual, thanks for the help.

 

I would pull the pan w/ the engine in the car to find out.
I've read where people have done it, but on a f-body the overwhelming consensus is the end does not justify the means.
Good luck

 

I had my pan off my 396 twice fixing clanging sounds. I lowered my windage tray about 1/4" and everything was clear. The first problem was a rod bolt scraping the shallow end of the oil pan around the 1-2 journal. Took it off, found the shiny spot and a little heat and a ball peen it was fixed. Put it all back together and clink, clink, clink again. I said a few choice words and jacked up the engine, took off the oil thingy, starter and the pan again and #7 rod bolt was scraping the edge of the pan, at the radius by the bolt holes.
Although the block was clearanced, the oil pan radius is bigger than the casting on the engine. More heat and a hammer and all is well. This was Wednesday night so it is still way too fresh in my mind.

 

I would not even think about doing any bearing work with the engine in the car.

 

Me neither. I had the bolts already clearanced (ground off at an angle) prior to the reassembly. I was only beating on the pan once I had it off. I had to move the oil pan metal in two different places. I must not have been clear. That would scare me.

 

Thanks guys, I'll pull the oil pan tomorrow after I do some yard work to keep the old lady happy and post my findings. I am hoping it is the oil pan.

Update: It was just the oil pan needing to be clearanced.