Did some searching and reading and I think I may have main bearing issues, but I wanted to run it by you guys first and see if anyone had any additional insight.
Just recently, our full-pressue 235 (from a '55 car, in a '54 3600) developed a low-pitched "clunk" in the lower end. I used the old stethoscope/rubber hose trick and determined it was coming from behind the oil pan or the lower end of the block. It's a really subtle clunk or tumbling sound. It only does it at low idle. Giving it any throttle makes it disappear. It doesn't have any discernible pattern and isn't consistent like a rod slap or other knocks.
So, main bearings? If so, what sort of R&R can be done with the engine in the truck? Can I pull the oil pan and do an inspection on the bearings?
I know the right answer is to pull and rebuild the motor, but I'm not wanting to drop $2500 on it right now. We don't drive it a whole lot, so if there is anything we can do to patch it together for another couple of years or until I can find another 235, that would be helpful. Thanks!
Last edited by chicklin; 03/03/2012 12:05 AM.
