Me too. This spring I plastigaged my crank journals and they were all within spec. Close to the wear limit, but still OK. Oil pressure hot usually stays above 40psi. I know the balance shaft bushing is worn - should have changed it when I had the motor out. It'* only like $6! But my false KR I am pretty sure is coming from this valve train kind of tick noise. The KS counter moves right along with the ticks that you hear.

If it turns out that I have some serious internal issues, I will probably not rebuild - it'* just too expensive. Instead, I will look for a quiet Series II engine to swap in. I have R&R'd a lot of these, so it'* really no big deal for me. That'* why I am not too concerned about running with the sensors disconnected and the pcm on dummy loads. The car runs great! If it self-destructs, at least it will go in style. This car is quick!

Those L36s aren't too bad when you get 'em running well. Even with 10* of KR, it probably feels better than it was.

Not 10*KR - ZERO! Take a look at the "after" scan data. With grounded resistors on the connectors, instead of the knock sensors, the PCM thinks it is connected to knock sensors that are hearing nothing, ever. So it provides maximum spark advance all the time. That'* why it can be harmful to run that way. The computer will never hear detonation even when it does occur.

Under these conditions, if I drive gently (as I normally do) I doubt I will do much harm. The danger comes when you get your foot in it. And I must admit, it runs sooo much better now, it is hard not to let it go once in a while.

I totally forgot you "spoofed" the sensors. Man, I bet you could clean my clock in a heads up race now!

I doubt it. You've got several mods on yours while mine is bone stock 'cept for the gutted air box. Someday when you're not busy give me a call - you can come over and compare it to the last time we took it for a spin. It'* probably still not as quick as yours, but you will definitely notice a difference!

Will do. I'm not sure about my car being faster than yours, though..... I only ran a 16.078 when I took it to the track. I think something must be a little off..... but that'* a whole different story .

Glad you've got the car in more manageable form. I wonder how your mileage will compare?

On a quick little test it calculated to 28 mpg. That'* no A/C, and no heavy foot. And only 80 miles - not a very good test. But I'm working on clocking the current tankful.

New bolts came....




Removed the rockers and carefully inspected them- all looked OK to me



Cleaned out the bolt holes very carefully...




Until they were nice and clean and dry...



Torqued 'em up to spec 11 ft-lb + 90*

Fired it up, warmed it up.............tick....tick.tick............tick.. tick..tick

At this point, I feel reasonably confident that the noise is not exhaust or valve train. As light as the noise is, the only probablility I can think of is piston pin. That'* gonna be a lot of work and a lot of $. I guess I'll be keeping a lookout for a good SII engine.

Mileage update: the last 188 miles cost 9.5 gallons of gas - slightly less than 20 mpg. That'* what I get for sticking my foot in it, I guess. Reconnect the knock sensors? With bucket loads of KR, the PCM doesn't really let you use a lot of fuel. But I just can't stand how it runs. Maybe if gas hits $3 a gallon again.

Good work on all of this thus far Bill. It'* too bad you haven't found the source of your tick, but you've been very thorough.

Cheers,