Not when in gear if I rev my engine to 2500 to 3000 RPM, I can hear a rattle in the engine (sounds like the PCV valve if you shake it). It sounds like a spray paint can when you shake it really really fast. Almost like a metal ball bearing inside of a metal can.

What is this? I don't think I'm too worried, just curious. Only happens when in neutral.

 

Valve lash, timing chain, or rod knock.

 

She's wore out.
Bigblock

 

wouldnt be valve lash as I've adjusted those 3 times since the head job. I'd say timing chain. thanks for the pointers

 

Is the ign timing correct?
Bigblock

 

I doubt it. It was done by ear when we did the head a month or two ago, so I'm going to take it to a shop to have it done right.

 

Not hard to do.
Bigblock

 

So it happened again when I was driving, and it seemed louder. Could have been because I was tired and cranky and paranoid, but at 3k RPM, when driving, I got this rattling noise. I'm thinking it's the timing chain, but why would that go so suddenly?

Also, I started up the truck and let it warm up and revved it to 2000-3000 RPM, and couldnt repeat the noise. Maybe i'm just paranoid. But if it's the timing chain, wouldnt it be constant and repeatable?

 

Wouldn't the chain expand a little due to hot temperatures?

 

I would think so. With the truck cold it didnt make the noise, and even with it totally warmed up and sitting idle and me revving the engine I couldn't replicate the sound. I'll see if it makes it again on the way home.

I'm just curious if this is something I should worry about, like the chain grinding it's way into the timing cover and causing some fluid leaks.

 

It's hitting the cover before the oil gets up to pressure. Sign of trouble to come if you don't change it out before it wears a hole in the cover....

 

Oil should have been up to pressure. I was driving the truck for 20 minutes while it was already warmed up. Shouldnt it have pressure by then? I checked my oil levels while I was out there and all looks good. it's full and black (time to change in about 500 miles, actually)

 

New info I found out while driving home:

It rattles and clicks even when in neutral and coasting at any speed higher than 35mph

It doesnt matter if I rev the engine up In neutral. The truck has to be rolling faster than 35mph

The wheel hubs are locked and I only now took note that they've been locked for a week now.

My muffler has a rattle to it too. If I quickly press and release the gas pedal (you know, like a punk kid showing off his stuff in his pimped out car) then the muffler has a rattle near the end of it's wurrrrring

Rattle = sound like a baby rattle (as in the baby's toy)

 

any suggestions? could it be my hubs need greased?