Looking for a little advice on where to begin with my newest engine trouble. I had a little bit of time over the holidays to finally install my TA intake, MSD distributor/box, and rebuilt Q-jet (Thanks Mark!). The new intake, carb and distributor went in just fine, got the timing set in the ballpark, and the carb set at a baseline to fire. The good news is that the car started up and seemed to run well enough to start fine tuning the timing and carb settings. The bad news is that it now has what sounds like terrible lifter noise. I'm wondering if some gunk/coolant may have gotten into the head/lifters when I removed the old intake, but was hoping for some suggestions on how I could start checking things to make sure the motor isn't toast. I'm afraid to run the car too much until I figure things out with a bit more certainty.
Did you change the oil and filter after you did the work? I would drain the oil and see what you've got in there.
What is your oil pressure? Are you SURE the new distributor engaged the oil pump drive shaft? Those two questions are the most important to find the answers to.
It seems like the distributor is in the right place, it seated all the way down. Is there any way I can double check to make sure it's 100%? Oil pressure - tough question. All the car has is an old rally pack gauge that has never been very accurate.
The flange or collar that is clamped down should be flush on timing cover, with no gap. Visually look at it. You need a mechanical oil pressure gage, period. You won't be able to see what's happening with your oil pressure without it. You can tee off the block and run both a mechanical gage fitting and factory dash idiot light sensor if you want both.
Update - you guys were spot on. The o-ring on the distributor shaft was preventing the distributor from mating up flush with the block. I had about 1/8'th of an inch or so gap between the flange and the timing cover. Removed the o-ring and the pressure is back where it should be. Hopefully no damage was done to the bearings in the interim. I did go ahead and get a full suite of gauges as well. Autometer Z-series going in for oil pressure, water temp, and a small tachometer as well. Thanks again everybody.
On my 455 with a new o-ring I had to bump the starter to completely seat the distributor. It worked like magic. I firmed up the hold down first.