Lopo knock, worry or no biggie?

[knucklehead0202]

So I'm starting to pick up what I believe is the dreaded "lopo knock". Now that my shitty-sounding smog pump is bypassed I can hear everything else going on. Car seems to run fine and the sound is very faint, but I'm very in tune with what my car is doing so every sound and smell is something I watch like a hawk. Should I get my ass in gear and do an HO swap? Does it matter? If I do a bunch of work to this motor is it going to scatter? Just trying to figure out what direction I should start heading. Thanks guys.
adam

[DerekTheGreat]

Post a vid!

I wouldn't worry about it and don't with the 318 in my Plymouth. With that car if I fire it right up you can hear it knock for just over a second and sometimes very faintly when its really hot at idle ::scuff scuff scuff:: Oil light is on even but no valve train clatter so its making some pressure. Put 3.5k miles on it and counting, been doing it since I got it running. I run that 50wt racing oil from Valvoline in it and of all the oils I've tried that's been the best.

[TomO]

I bought an '89 MGM seven years ago. It had just a tad over 100,000 miles on it when I got it. I noticed that it made a faint rattling sound like a faint diesel engine sound or faint lifter noise when it's cold. Not sure if this is the same sound you're experiencing. But, I still have the car, it still makes the same noise, it still runs just as good, and I've put 120,000 trouble-free miles on the car since I've had it (it now has a tad over 220,000 miles).

So, in short, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it really starts sounding really bad.

[Mainemantom]

I have had one of my 89 TCs since new. It has 235k on the motor. It has had a knock since new. Many of the 89s were replaced because customers complained like it sounded like a diesel. I talked with a Ford engine machinist many years ago. He told me that in 89 a change in the manufacturing process was changed, corners were cut to save money. He named the process, which name I have forgotten. He said that the knock which was popular in 302s was nothing to worry about as long as oil and maintenance was properly done. Many a mechanic has told me I need a new engine. I try to tell them about the above comment. Of course it is not believed and I am told I am a know it all. I tell people only if they want to know.
All I know is the motor runs perfectly, no oil burning, 22 mpg. I am happy, That is what matters I guess.

[johnunit]

My car has knocked since before I got it. Currently at around 10K of very, very hard driving and it's still not seized.

Basically, don't worry about it until you see other symptoms.

[gadget73]

If you're concerned, check the oil pressure. If it makes any at hot idle, its fine. If its not making any at idle but it makes pressure at speed, its not too bad. They're pretty much screwed when you're running at highway speeds at no oil pressure.

[knucklehead0202]

Alright thanks guys. Yeah, it's very faint but like I said, I hear EVERYTHING. It consumes no oil, runs smooth, never had a warning light or any of that shit, so it's probably fine. I do drive the hell out of it so i'll listen to see if it gets worse, but it seems to not be a big deal.

[pantera77]

Alright thanks guys. Yeah, it's very faint but like I said, I hear EVERYTHING. It consumes no oil, runs smooth, never had a warning light or any of that shit, so it's probably fine. I do drive the hell out of it so i'll listen to see if it gets worse, but it seems to not be a big deal.

Then don't worry about it. I put 50k on the knocking lopo in my old 91 wagon beating the absolute shit out of it. last time I drove it it made about 10pis at 70mph and Id still drive it across country.