Motor is knocking

[JoeKeys2010]

Drove my 1949 Kaiser to church this morning and on the way back I heard it start to knock.  The oil pressure gauge tended to read pressure but there were times when the pressure seemed to drop (assuming the gage is accurate).  The hammering noise seemed to get better when the car took a strain and got worse if you let off of it.  When I pulled into the driveway I noticed it was running hot as well.  A good amount of smoke was coming from under the oil cap.

The motor has not been built and I noticed when I put in the clutch last year there was a lot of play in the crank.  Is it time to build the engine?

[Bobm90]

It may be just running hot causing the oil to thin, that and excess heat may cause a knock. I would start with the easy stuff , get it running cool first, check water flow, thermostat, hoses, belt, water pump etc use a thermometer rather than just the gauge and see if that helps, see if the oil smells burnt it may also need a oil change after you get it running cooler check all that before spending large cash.

[JoeKeys2010]

Ok. I'll try that. I put it in a parade a years or so ago, burned out the clutch and blew up the radiator. The car has never been the same since. I put a new water pump on it and I had a spare radiator. It does not have a thermostat. I replaced the clutch as well. It's not a hot day here and I would be surprised that anything would run hot while moving.

[alohagreen]

thermostats are there to
stop / hold, the heated water/ antifreeze ,
long enough for it to COOL in the tubes / fins....

drill a small vent / weep / steam hole in the flat part of the thermostat .
it helps with air pockets   and such....

[JoeKeys2010]

Well I think the motor is shot.  Just went out and cranked it and it felt like the motor wanted to cease.  I got it to break loose and crank but it sounds like medal on medal.  Guess the hunt will be on to find someone to build this motor, buy one already built and swap it out or change running gears all together.  Sounds like a project to me.

[Bobm90]

Sorry to say but it seems major damage might have been done, before you try anymore home remedies it may be time to have it flatbeded to a mechanic who knows 50's cars, fortunately there are still some old timers left, there maybe something salvageable in that engine it would be a shame to throw away a rebuild able block as they "don't make em anymore"

[retired wrench]

  Yep unless you have x-ray vision you dont know what you got till you open them up.

[JoeKeys2010]

I'm pulling the motor out now and then we will see what we have. Maybe as early as this weekend.

[boatingbill]

Pulling the pan will be the best way to look for damage such as broken metal bits etc. A deep pounding is usually a
main bearing, a banging is usually a connecting rod bearing or the rod itself and a hard rattle is usually a valve train
part.

[JoeKeys2010]

I'm just about ready to pull the motor. Probably have it out tomorrow. Then I can take a look. I think it is in the upper part of the motor.