318 problems

[charger72]

I have a 68' 318 2bbl motor with a 727 in my 74 power wagon that lately rattles pretty good under a load and when driving with my trailer hooked up. It soulds like the rockers rattling. I've checked the timing and it seemed alright. Could the lifters be going bad? Or the cam?
I use the truck to pull my mowing trailer alot(small trailer). It has also started to smell like it burns the oil when it does it, but im not loosing any though. I do have good oil pressure. 55 at idle and 75 while driving.

[67_Dodge_Charger]

The rockers will rattle when the cam is worn or if you have some bent push rods or tired valve springs.  The smell from the exhaust if probably rich and excess carbon build up.  Pull your valve covers and check for slop.  If it only rattles when under a load you will need to rebuild. 

How many miles does the motor have on it?

-Robert

[charger72]

the motor is a real low mileage motor. I got it from a local school who had it as a test motor when they did stuff. Before I put it in my truck last summer I couldnt find any buirn marks or anything inside the motor as it appears it hasnt been ran or apart before.

[firefighter3931]

That rattle you're describing could very well be preignition or more commonly known as ping. Try duplicating the conditions again but use some high octane fuel and see if this cures the problem. If it's only acting this way under heavy load it isn't a rocker arm issue.

Ron

[charger72]

Ron, I was kinda thinking that. I will try that with and without the trailer.

[firefighter3931]

Hopefully it's just a fuel issue and that can be determined by doing the test. You might have to do a little distributor work and a recurve if it still pings w/o the trailer (heavy load). From what i'm reading here though....it's just doing this under heavy load, correct ?

Ron

[charger72]

it does it alittle bit without the trailer at highway speed up hills and stuff. Im wondering if the fluid smell is the tranny now since I know it is alittle weak and stuff. Here is a pic of the rockers.

[charger72]

also, the rockers all apeared to be tight against the pushrods and springs. except for the 2 end ones.

[firefighter3931]

Have a look at your timing to see what you've got. How much at idle ? How much total advance and at what rpm ? Are you running vacuum advance ? You could be running too much spark lead for the compression and grade of fuel. If it's not rattleing sitting there at idle then i seriously doubt it's valvetrain related. I'm leaning more towards a tuning issue....specificly the timing.

Ron

[charger72]

Firefighter, it might be kinda hard to check timing. It has the original balancer with a early 70's water pump cover making to where I cant see the marks. I do know thatI dont notice any rattling while it is idling.
Thanks for the help so far.