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Crusader 454 slight tapping noise

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powerboater41

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I have a Chris Craft with twin

I have a Chris Craft with twin Crusader motors in it. I bought the boat 1 year ago. I had a mechanical survey done when I bought it and they found the number 8 cylinder was at only 60 PSI and has a slight tapping noise. The engine seems to run fine and idles fine. This is a 42 foot boat so i dont exceed 2000 rpm. Mechanic who looked at it said not to piecemeal a engine that old and to replace when it stops running. I think this could be a burnt valve or bad adjustment. any thoughts?
 
"I'd run a compression tes

"I'd run a compression test on that cylinder and see if it's a valve or rings. If it's a valve I'd pull the head and fix it, but if it's rings I'd leave it alone.

Jeff"
 
"Could be lifter noise. I onc

"Could be lifter noise. I once had a worn cam lobe causing this, also on #8. Check the rocker arm play with #8 at TDC, valves closed. If you are very lucky it is a loose rocker nut only. More likey, you will need a new cam/lifters."
 
"I'm in the process of pul

"I'm in the process of pulling the heads on my 454. So far several broken and bent pushrods. Probably stuck valves. I'm blaming it on ethanol in the gas, phase separation and dissolving of the fuel tanks. However, check your spark plugs and trouble shoot from that. You can tell a lot from the condition of the plugs. Oh, I had a slight tapping noise as well. I've found a supplier of MBTE gas. Once I get the heads reconditioned maybe this will be behind me.
Cliff"
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I wi

Thanks for the tips guys. I will have a compression test done to see if it is the rings or the valves. If it is the valves should I just have the head reworked on the side that is defective. or could it just be adjustment
 
"If the compression check show

"If the compression check shows the other side is OK, pulling that head is your choice. If the compression is low, its kinda obvious.

If you have more than 500 hr or ten years on those heads, I'd be inclined to do them in pairs"
 
"Both of my engines sold like

"Both of my engines sold like machine guns at first start up in the Spring, then quiet out after a time.

Jeff"
 
"Reading that post of Cliff&#3

"Reading that post of Cliff's brings back some memories of last spring. When the valve cover came off and I saw those 2 inch pieces of pushrod, UGH!"
 
"Jeff, you mention popping bac

"Jeff, you mention popping back through the carb, I'm assuming you meant if the rocker arm were loose? My stbd 454 is doing just that under load at around 2500 RPM and @ 3200 under no load condition. I have rebuilt the quadrajet carb and all filters replaced but to no avail. I have checked wires distributor and everything else I can think of (except something that just popped into my tiny little brain - the springs on the counterweights in the distributor may not be letting the spark advance) need to check that again. any thoughts you may have will be appreciated."
 
"Yes, I do have fiberglass tan

"Yes, I do have fiberglass tanks, The boat is a '74, so I know this may be an issue. I checked the tanks over (they are still solid) and filled with MBTE gas this past fill up (after the engine damage was done). Bought the Ethanol test kit so I can check future deliveries and am changing the Racor filters to 10 micron and will check them more frequently. Fortunately the fuel injectors are OK. I'm just going to need a handful of pushrods and 2 reconditioned heads."
 
"I am a simpleton. My experie

"I am a simpleton. My experience with my two 454 CID Crusaders has taught me 1)If it pops in the exhaust pipe, I change plugs, 2)If it pops out the carb, I rebuild the carb but before I do I make certain that my distributer is not crossfiring due to bad wires or tracks in the distributer cap. If I have high rpm in the slip and am limited under load I conclude I have a gasoline delivery problem.

Just my simple thinking.

Chuck Hanson"
 
"Be careful running 10 micron

"Be careful running 10 micron filters BEFORE the fuel pump--that's a recipe for disaster. When (not if) the "evil-nol" starts sending crap through your fuel system, those filters will plug up fast. The result can be a lean out that causes burnt pistons.

If the Racors are AFTER the fuel pump, swell, but no finer that about 30 microns before it. Trust me on this! I and others have learned this through our wallet.

Jeff"
 
"Jeff, you have a good point o

"Jeff, you have a good point on the 10 Micron filters. Just have to weight the best of 2 bad choices. (Or repower with Yanmar diesels.)"
 
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