After starting my rebuilt engine for the first time, I could hear, and feel a tapping at the bottom of the oil pan. I dropped the pan as much as I could, and can squeeze my hand in about 6" past the wrist between the pan and the block. I don't feel or see anything loose, but it sounds like the crank is hitting the internal baffling. The bottom of the pan is pushed in about 1/2", but it doesn't feel it inside because there is a second floor/baffle, and it feels straight.
It appeared to run okay for the 30-45 seconds I had it running, oil pressure good. The tapping did increase with RPM's.
I have read it's necessary to cut the chassis brace and the e-brake bracket to drop the pan all the way, but it sure looks like it could be accomplished by removing just the e-brake bracket. With it out of the way, the pan only needs to move forward about 2 " to clear that brace.
I've thought about sliding a steel rod to the bottom of the pan and tapping it to see if I can lower the floor bottom, even though it doesn't feel in the way it's hard to tell.
Trying mightily to avoid undoing what it's taken me over a month to accomplish. Any insight welcome.
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