1978 Engine Knock

["J. Stacey" <jstacey@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

To me, this is another great example of the value of this club.

Something very simple to fix but potentially really tough to diagnose.

Next time someone on the list has a "nasty knocking noise" in their engine,
and need to go through a process of elimination diagnosis, this can be one
of the first things they eliminate. (Without Brad's note, probably the last
thing!)

Congratulations Brad on solving the problem and thanks for sharing the
solution with us.

Jim Stacey
'73 4drht slowly going back together
Near Toronto

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
chrysler1978@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 3:48 PM
To: Imperial Mailing List; NYB ML
Subject: IML: 1978 Engine Knock


Today I solved the engine knock in my 78.  2003 is starting off on a good
note for car repairs.

I posted this here:
http://www.nybclub.org/membercars/bradhogg/Trans-Plant/flexplate.htm
A few weeks ago, I noticed the car had developed a nasty knocking noise in
the engine. It sounded to be deep in the engine near the back. As it turned
out, the problem was simply that the flex plate bolts, that hold the
engine's crank shaft to the transmission's torque converter, were not as
tight as they should be. The bolts has not backed out at all but one was
finger tight and two others were just not ver tight at all. The fourth one
seemed ok.

I jacked up the car and took off the inspection plate on the front of the
transmission (four 1/2" bolts). I then looked at the flex plate bolts (four
9/16") to see if they were tight. I had a can of white spray paint so I
could paint the bolts after I tightened them so I would be sure to get all
four. I used my wrench to short out the starter's solenoid to bump the
engine over a few times so I could get all each bolt in turn. Don't forget
to remove the wire that goes from the coil to the distributor so the engine
won't start on you. It shouldn't anyway as the key is off but better safe
than sorry. I got all the bolts tight and I also noticed that the lower
starter bolt had backed out and was ready to fall out. I also tightened that
one (5/8"). The car runs like a champ again!