Engine that knocks – I dropped the pan and I found that the number one connecting rod was nice and tight. The connecting rod on cylinders 2, 3 and 4 had some side to side play on the crankshaft and on the wrist pin.

I used some plastic gauge and it appears that the clearance is in line. I am not sure if the clearance has much to do with side to side movement on the crankshaft or does it?

Is side play common?

Can I correct it?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Mike Q

The side play is normal.Shims are removed until you can not move rod back and forth (side play)-then insert a shim so it will move with just a light tap with a small hammer.The pin will also have end play.See if you can slip a .008" feeler gauge between the piston and cylinder wall-piston at mid travel and to one side.You may have a loose piston.

Chevgene,

It looks like I have a large metal shim and 4 almost paper thin brass shims on each bolt. had just a single brass shim and it still moved back and forth, Would you ever run it without any shims or are their smaller metal shims. The one that is on there now is about 3/16" but i did not measure it.

You may remove all of the thin shims, however the thick one must remain. If your are unable to achieve the proper clearance, then you are ready for an engine rebuild and re-babbited rods.

Hey can't have that... want to make it up north for the 4 banger run in oregon

Get your application in as it is filling fast.

It would be permissable to place the thick spacers on a sheet of light sand paper and sand lightly if you are very near the correct clearance.