If any of you read my last thread you know about the zero oil pressure problem with the new 383. It ended up being a cracked retainer on the oil pump drive. I noticed this after almost reinstalling it, it wasnt completely broke just enuff to kick it out from the cam drive. So now I have oil pressure, but the new motor started and ran a few times with zero oil pressure (the first start it did have pressure for about 15-20 seconds). I started it after replacing the oil pump drive and it sounded ok, datamaster showed zero knock and everything was good. Once the car got to about 140 degrees it started to make a squeaking noise. At first I though it was the belt b/c I was bleeding the air out of the coolant, but then realizied it was the motor! I really cant tell where it is coming from but its pretty loud and only squeaks at idle, I can rev it up or even hold a fast idle and it stops. In fact it will stop for about 30 seconds if I rev it up let it go back to idle. I know maybe it was stupid to rev it up, but oil pressure is great 60psi cold and 40-45psi at idle once its warmed up to 180+ degrees. So where do I start, lifters, bearings? The motor has ran now maybe a total of maybe 10mins so I'm hoping damaged is minimal. What do you guys think?

 

Yard it out and tear it down and see what it is before ya do serious damage.

 

Did you take the belt off and start it just to make sure? Do that first. Get it hot like you said and take it off.

 

Yup took the belt off, I wish it was that easy!

 

The only place I can think of where a motor could actually squeak is the rockers.. like rubbing the valve cover...

 

I've read that both bearings and lifter that are eatting a cam lobe can squeak/squeal. If I had crappy oil pressure I would jump all over the bottom end but its still 40+ hot idle! I am picking up knock at idle with a std knock sensor but not when I rev it up. I'm starting to think a lifter went flat from lack of oil and pitted the cam.

 

spun mains can squeal. I know that is worst case scenario and I hope it is something else but it needed to be mentioned.

 

Take off the oil filter and cut it open and see if you have any metal flakes. Drain the oil and see if you any shavings in there.