1988 345... The adventure begins!

[Roby466]

Weird…. I was doing the test with pulling spark plug cables one at the time. I think cylinder 5 is the one that makes the noise but then the ignition died while I had the cable pulled. Is it possible that pulling the cables did burn the ignition coil or module?

[Roby466]

That was it. Ignition module died.
I ran it and listened more. Loudest I hear the knocking with a stethoscope is under the oil pan under no. 5. On the block it’s near no. 5 as well. I hear it from the top too on the block.

[ITSNO60]

I was off grid for the weekend and just saw this. So I guess your next step is to either remove the pan or take it to someone? Unless the top end is still on the table, then pull the valve cover on that side first?

[Roby466]

Yes, it's getting towed to the shop to start pulling the engine.
I have added a couple videos on Youtube, if you search for Knocking?, my user name is the same as here.
I went under it with a stethoscope and the loudest spot I hear the sound is the forward part of the oil pan. Then I hear it pretty clearly on the bloc near cylinder no.5. I can hardly hear it from the top on the valve cover so the engine is coming out.
I have a shop lined up to rebuild the motor, they are a well known place around here and they will build a low revving high torque 454.
I am also looking for a 4L80E gearbox to maybe swap in there and I'll install my headers and new exhaust at the same time.
It will likely take most of the summer however so this thing will not be on the road until mid July I'm thinking.
I'll also look at my tag axle, it looks like it's made for speed as I have a couple degrees camber...

[ITSNO60]

Please keep us updated

[Roby466]

[attach]

The ride of shame

[ITSNO60]

[cmadmaxman]

Sorry to hear this. Do they do the machine work as well?

Just got ours back running. Full over haul, stock sizes, all bearings, lifters, piston's and rings. Reworked heads, ARP head and main bolts, as well ARP pump shaft.
Hope to have a test run tomorrow!

[Roby466]

Originally Posted by cmadmaxman

Sorry to hear this. Do they do the machine work as well?



Just got ours back running. Full over haul, stock sizes, all bearings, lifters, piston's and rings. Reworked heads, ARP head and main bolts, as well ARP pump shaft.

Hope to have a test run tomorrow!

Sounds like yours is a nice build! Good luck with the first run! Did you change the power profile? What kind of power and torque are you expecting with the setup?

The shop who will pull the engine is a truck shop, they don’t do the engine work. I’ll bring the engine to another place for the rebuild. Now when it goes back in and starts the first time may be more complex as I’ll have two different shops to deal with…

What did you remove to pull your engine out? Going from the front is self explanatory but did you have to remove the intake before it can be squeezed out of there? Distributor needs to come off? Did you pull the gearbox with it as one unit?

Thanks!

[cmadmaxman]

No change to the engine. Was going to go with a low end torque cam, but with the gen V engine with the ODB1 computer, cam builders would not guarantee that it would play well with the computer!!

Every thing off the top, left the intake on and bolted a lift plate to the carburetor bolt holes. As you can see, I had to drill new holes for the TBI. You can see the holes I had for the Q jet.

It has to be close to the lift arm, and does clear, but very close. I have attached a photo of the setup I used with the 350 and 310.

Front of the rig needs to be raised about 10" to a foot.

Have not tried to remove the engine with the transmission, but would not recommend it, its too close of fit!

[Roby466]

Thanks for that! Much appreciated! Will see how many hours it takes to pull it out!
Too bad I don't have the room to leave it as I would have pulled it myself, I'm not used to have to use a shop to do my work... it's stressing me out

One note on the towing last night, the operator was very good and lowered it back down as much as he could to not overload the tag axle. The front wheels were only about 3 to 4 inches from the ground so they did touch when going over a couple speed bumps on the way there but that was at very low speed.
I followed him without drama, he went very slowly, driving between 20 and 50 km/hr (15-30MPH) at the most so he took his time.

The tow was only about 7 miles so not very far. I started it to back it up in the lot and the knocking sound is getting worst it seems, I'm happy I decided to get it towed instead of driving it there. (I'll post a video of the noise from inside the cab in a bit)

[cmadmaxman]

Made mine from scratch based off this concept. Just not the various hole pattern.


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[Roby466]

Thanks cmadmaxman, ordered one, it should get here Tuesday... if I wait for the shop to order this they will flip me the price, which will be higher, it will delay the engine removal, and they will keep the tool in the end anyway...

I'll go see them on Tuesday night to discuss the removal process and timelines of the project and bring the lifting plate over.

Here is the noise it made when I parked it at the shop. That is with the engine cover on so it is surprising how much of the noise comes through.
https://youtube.com/shorts/PRnWT9ndcE4?feature=share

[cmadmaxman]

Glad you had it towed! Sounds bad, hopefully not to damaged for a quick overhaul.

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[Roby466]

Yep…. The noise came in really quick after the trip so I didn’t really drive it much once it started appearing, maybe less than a mile.
Will see what happens when we strip it down.
Cheers!

[Roby466]

I should be picking up the engine this evening and taking it to the builder for teardown. We are looking at a higher HP, higher torque at lower RPM build. Nothing extreme as I'm not building a race Airstream and the intent is to keep the quadrajet and re-jet it.
I have found a brand new 4L80e that has never been installed for about $1800 USD locally (2500 CDN).
Those of you who have done the switch to the 4L80e, is it worth it? My TH400 is still good but having lower revving engine at highway speeds would be nice!

[cmadmaxman]

Sounds good Roby. I would think about installing a TBI unit that is more programable. Was going to do that with our 310 before we bought the 350.

The 4L80E is a good option. Mine is a OEM first generation install. The later 97 up has a little better fluid flow. Here is what I'm talking about.



About putting it in your coach, others will have to comment on that, but I have been very pleased with having it in the 350. Probably a good upgrade would be a custom torque converter like a Hughes or such, and upgrade cooling system.

[ITSNO60]

I had a 4L80E in a heavily loaded service truck. It was great once I installed an auxiliary cooler, before I did that it got way too hot and burnt the fluid. I added the cooler, a dash gauge and a drain plug in the pan, and then at every oil change (after a complete initial flush) I would swap out whatever fluid the pan holds, about 4.5 qts if you wait long enough. I sold the van at 120,000 miles and it was still going strong. The tow mode was great and I used it just about all the time as it was so heavy. It got worked hard with 100% city driving and desert temps, it'll probably have an easier life in a motorhome.

[Roby466]

Slightly delayed. I’ll have the engine in hand Monday evening. The list of “while you’re in there” is already growing…. The shop is happy with me working on it with them and while the motor is getting rebuilt so I’ll replace the heater hoses, pull the exhaust, one power steering line, pull the driveshaft for shortening it 2 in before the gearbox swap etc…

[cmadmaxman]

Man does that look familiar!
Have been through that to many times with the 310 and now with the 350!
Sounds like you have a great shop to work with.
Hang in there, you got this!