Acquired a 96 T100 4x4 with a 3.4l a few months ago. Last week while driving the engine started making a loud knocking noise. Got it home to check out and found the electrode for the #2 cylinder was missing. Threw in some new plugs and fired it up. Knock noise is still there, but if i bring it up over 2500 rpms, it goes away. I am assuming electrode is floating around in the valve train somewhere. Anyone know what kind of damage I should expect. I am trying to decide whether to tear this one apart, buy a rebuilt, or buy a used motor. Any suggestions?

 

Stop driving it in that condition...yer only gonna beat up the engine and possibly damage it beyond repair.

Pull the #2 plug out and hand crank the piston to the top. Do a visual inspection to see if you can see the electrode. You might want to even pick up an inspection camera and peek into the cylinder. You can git those fer less than $100 these days. You might be able to use a magnet tipped probe to git the electrode out if yer lucky. Good luck!