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I have my 52 3600 cranking and running on first start now..... finally. Only problem is now Im noticing things. I have a valve knock coming from cylinder 3 it sounds like. Also around the spark plug a small puff of smoke will come now and again. I was told when the motor warms up a lot of the knocks go away. is this true? Also it sounds like I have a major exhaust leak at the manifold. All these combined, does this sound like I have a serious problem or is this expected with a truck that sat in a field for thirty years?

I know this is probably a dumb question but I am trying to get the truck running ok to leave for the wedding and I would rather not ruin the truck in the process but dont have time for a rebuild of the motor either.

the only way smoke could come out around a plug is if it's loose or there's a major crack there - or if a 216, maybe the side cover is loose and some oil is leaking there and burning off? .... for the "knock", it would be a good idea to have a mechanic listen to it, could be a problem or just need a valve adjust .... if the engine sat unused for 30 years I wouldn't have much faith in it - might want to arrange to have a tow truck in the wedding parade

Bill

If it is a 216, it could be just blow-by coming out around the sparkplug. I guess another possibility is a cracked or loose plug.

If you are hearing a "knock" that goes away as the engine warms you most likely have a bad connecting rod. If you're hearing the "tapping" of a lifter that goes away as the engine warms it's pretty much normal except that you should hear them all, not just one. If you're only hearing one it sounds like a valve lash setting session is in order.

Tiny, bearing noise usually gets louder as the oil warms and thins out.

I was thinking a valve lash adjustment was needed too.

What engine do you have in your 52?
Have you done any work on it?
Have you timed it?

A ticking sound I experienced on my 235 was a bent push rod.
The "major exhause leak sound" you describe should be addressed.

I have one slightly knocking on cold start and as the oil gets pumped up to fill in the space it goes away and stays away until the next cold start. One of these days I'll get my well fed self under the car, pull the pan & remove a shim or two to shut her up for a while.

DADS50 I believe I have made a mistake. I thought it was a 235 but I believe its a 216. I have not been working on the motor long. I have spent most of the time I have had the truck rewiring and handling smaller things that took less time. I was in between moves. All I have done is put new spark plugs, cap and rotor button, wires, ignition coil, rebuilt the carb. Things like that. I noticed today when I pulled the valve cover with the engine running that there was some huge gapping in the valves. Also I believe two rods were bent because they were not going straight up and down. They were dancing around a pretty good bit.

Sounds like you found at least one problem.
Replacing the bent push rods and setting the lash sounds like a good plan.
I got push rods for my 235 at my local O’Reilly’s auto. Napa can get them also.

I used the valve setting instructions by Nathan Hall
...click...
They were helpful for me.

Good Luck