440 YIKES

[Stacked440]

I don't know how to explain the sound...we started and ran the 440 again today after we got the exhaust finished.  It ran good but ran a little hot, so we shut it off, let it cool down.  Poured a little more anti-freeze in the radiator.  Started it up, ran wonderfully for maybe 1-2 mins with normal temp, then out of the blue it started making a metal on metal scratching sound, doesn't sound like mains spinning, least me or my dad have never heard mains sound like that when they spin.  But like a high pitch scraping sound.  It might be power steering but that remains to be tested 100%.  I'm going to get an oil pressure gauge tomorrow, but in the meantime...any ideas?

[nivvy]

Buy a scope at autozone / advanced auto etc... really good at finding sounds in the motor! I fried a power steering pump on my first motor break in  puored in the fluid and started the motor the eventually a lod schreeking sound like you explain! the power steering fluid was sucked into the power steering box and left the pump empty and toasted it !!!

[Stacked440]

I'm just hoping its the power steering and not a main   Thanks for the info stroker!

[nivvy]

Im sure its the power steering...  been there done that!!! a high pitched horrifying squeel!!! 

just unhook the power steering belt and start the car 

[Stacked440]

Well...upon further inspection, the oil pump to cam shaft has been sheared completely clean off, and I fear the motor is fried   I'm pulling the pan tomorrow to take a look.

[jeryst]

Well, That Sucks! Hope the motor was spared.

[Super Blue 72]

SOrry to hear of your troubles.  Hope it's not as bad as it seems... 

[ted]

DOESNT  sound good.

[Stacked440]

Pulled the pan and oil pump, oil pump is 100% ok with no foreign objects inside, so It looks like it was just the oil pump drive shaft that snapped.  Popped off 2 rod bearings and a main cap.  one rod bearing spun but the main bearing didn't.  The main bearing was pretty shaved though, the crank remarkably looks O.K.  Its a little blue in spots from heat but it doesn't look to be ground or knicked or anything.  But plan is to pull the whole motor, tranny, front suspension again and tear the motor down to nothing and put a new rotating assembly in   Not fun by any means, and my dad seems to want to get it done but I almost can't bring myself to work on getting it out of the car...

[Super Blue 72]

Bummer...I know what it's like to be not motivated.....but you have to!!!!!  Weather is nice and you want to go cruising, right?

[moper]

Did it shear down at the pump, right where the hex starts? Is it an HV pump with 20-50 in it? On every rebuild, that oil pump drive should be replaced with a performance one. They have a harder shaft, with a shallow taper where the hex starts, and the drive gear is pressed and then pinned in place, instead of just pressed. A MUST with HV oil pump, and to keep your timing under control. I see way too many rebuilds where teh bushing in the block is new, and the drive is the used part. My guess is, the repair will cost more than the $65 part would have. It's too bad, but at least you were still at home, not cruising the interstate.

[Stacked440]

I'll take a picture and post it up, it sheared just below where the hex starts, twisted it and broke it off.  The one thing we didn't pull when we redid the motor...anyone know where I can get a carbon steel shaft?

[typentinner]

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, but am i understanding this correctly? You started, and ran the engine twice, with no oil guage hooked up?

[Stacked440]

It had oil pressure for at least 10 minutes of running it before, and then suddenly didn't because the shaft broke.  Talked to a local big block guy and he says hes seen that happen only twice including our time.  A rare thing, but sucks for sure.

[moper]

Not really rare at all. MP has the best shafts. I wouldnt use a stock replacement one.