If I remember correctly from some previous posts on this job, you're using the original camshaft and lifters, not a new assembly, right? It shouldn't be necessary to do a run-in on the cam in that case. Sometimes the rocker arms will squeak on startup, if they were not lubed when the heads were set up and the valves adjusted, until oil makes its way up the puhrods. I use assembly lube on the rockers and pivot balls as I assemble the valve train to avoid problems in that area. One way to eliminate the converter as a source of the knock is to temporarily unbolt it, and let the engine run without turning the converter, but don't run it very long, as the center hub of the crankshaft will score the converter nose if you let it spin without the converter turning. You can push the converter back into the transmission pump about 1/4" or more, to minimize contact with the crankshaft. The three bolts that attach the converter to the flex plate are the source of the noise if that's the cause of the knock. They have to be really tight to prevent the bolts from rattling in the flywheel holes. Just a few seconds of operation will tell you if the knock is still there, half a minute at most is OK.
On the pre-lube shaft, I have a 1/2" shaft made up with a sleeve over the drive tang to surround the oil pump shaft. It's just about impossible to use a screwdriver blade or something similar to turn the pump, as you've already discovered.
Late ignition timing will cause an engine to heat up in a hurry, so be sure you're in the ballpark on timing, and be sure the cooling system is completely full. It's pretty common to get an air bubble trapped in the cooling system, unless the thermostat is removed during the initial fill-up, and coolant is poured directly into the thermostat hole before installing the thermostat. DON'T remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot, you can get badly burned by the gusher that will create!
I wouldn't reccomend putting the engine under any load at all until you isolate the source of the knock. If you do have bearing damage, loading the bearings will trash the crankshaft in a hurry! Ring seating is not a concern right now, find out why it's knocking first!
Jerry
