Ka24e, set ignition to 15 degrees BTDC...

[89hatchman]

And not I'm getting a nasty pinging/rattling. Its the only thing I've changed and it sounds like horrible timing chain rattle.

What gives? I thought 15 was the stock ignition timing for a SOHC?

I guess I'll go turn it down to around 5 or 10 degrees btdc...

[89hatchman]

well I have no idea whats going on. Turned the dizzy back to around 5 degrees BTDC and the thing still sounds bad. It sounds like a full blown knock but from under the valve cover. I don't get it man....

[wangan_cruiser]

if your engine was set way retarded it may create a knocking sound. correct me if im wrong

[s13livin]

15 degrees is right +- 2 degrees

check your timing chain guides, could be the cause

[89hatchman]

Originally Posted by wangan_cruiser

if your engine was set way retarded it may create a knocking sound. correct me if im wrong

There must have been something else going on....And I thought knocking was due to advanced timing?

Originally Posted by s13livin

15 degrees is right +- 2 degrees

check your timing chain guides, could be the cause

Well it doesn't matter now. The Pos blew up on me on my way home. Don't know exactly what went wrong but it wont crank (seized). Maybe it threw a rod, maybe the timing got fucked. But the engine is fucked...

[rcdad123]

ran out of oil?

[s13livin]

Well performance wise they are a pos but if maintained well theyll last an apocalypse, I feel it blew due to your wrong doing

[89hatchman]

Originally Posted by rcdad123

ran out of oil?

no, I had just changed the oil the day before. It had plenty of oil

Originally Posted by s13livin

Well performance wise they are a pos but if maintained well theyll last an apocalypse, I feel it blew due to your wrong doing

I'm starting to doubt that...I got it from an auto 240 and did nothing to it other than replace the head gasket and pilot bearing. It had a bit of timing chain rattle but that was nothing unusual. It ran well, no smoke, decent compression, decent power. Yesterday I tightened the cam gear bolt, changed the oil, and set the ignition timing.

It started ticking/pinging, and I thought it was pre-ignition so I set it back. It didn't change anything.

Drove it to work today and it was knocking like a mormon missionary. On the way back home it had no power and I couldn't go faster than 30 mph on flat ground. On a slight hill I heard a clank and it just stopped.

The only thing I could think I did would be tightening the cam bolt. I just put the car in 5th, threw on the parking brake and tightened away.

But I honestly don't think it was me. There was a trail of oil when I towed it away with a strap. Something in the bottom end must have given way.

You say they're sturdy as fuck. But I have to disagree. Within 30 miles it went from running fine to fucked. I've never had that happen.

[xkirex]

same happened to me. I think your timing was off, maybe from the head gasket job, that with a faulty tensioner, jumped more timing while driving and kaboom. It hurts so bad.