So my 1988 truck makes this terrible tapping sound under a load, and its only under a load. I did some searching and found out it could be piston slap (which would get quieter as the engine warms up, but mine doesn't. Also its a newly rebuilt engine with a little over 2,000 miles on it.) Or it could be a bearing issue (rebuilt engine again). Or a faulty PVC. Has anyone else had anything like this? Its only recently developed out of the blue.
Any help thanks.

 

So who rebuilt the motor and what all was replaced on it?

 

Sounds like you have an exhaust leak between the cylinder head and the manifold. This will make a ticking sound and it's more noticable under throttle and load. Check and replace the gasket if you find it broken.

 

I bought a rebuilt motor from a shop in Phoenix.

Really? I will have to check that out?

 

did you put the motor in your self?

It might be a exhaust leak, can you make the noise when you just have the truck parked and rev the throttle or does it have to be driving up a hill or something that put a lot of load on the motor?

 

Yes I put the motor in myself. Could be? I just dont want it to be something detrimental to the engine ya know. Its only under a load. If you rev it up, nothing. And its any kind of load not limited to only going uphill.

 

you might try to tighten your exhaust bolts but be careful cause they can strip out the head pretty easy, and if that doesn't do anything u might wanna go to the shop where u got the motor an talk to them, might sound like they did crappy job rebuilding it

 

and you did put a new gasket on for exhaust header didn't you?

 

Yeah I dont see why I wouldnt have ha.