Hey everybody, I'm new to the forum, I am also the new owner of a salvaged 1994 auto Z28. I got the car for free from a buddy of mine. Before he gave it to me he was driving to work and it started smoking and knocking. He took the car to a mechanic who said it has a hole in the oil pan and a new one should fix the problem. I am wondering if instead it threw a rod and I just need to let the car die instead of fixing it. It still runs and drives strong, but the knocking speed goes up and down with the rpms. any suggestions?

 

sure sounds like a rod let lose. i guess it would depend on what shape the car is in and if you can find a used lt1 with low miles on it for cheap. also you would need the tools and a shop manual, preferably a factory service manual for your yr and model.

 

It drives strong? It doesn't feel like it's running on 7 cylinders?
If the hole in the pan came from the inside out, she blew!
Now, if the hole came from the outside, like it bottomed out, then the problems are something different (ran low/out of oil and toasted the bearings).
Either way, it doesn't sound good.

 

I've seen it run and drive since the knocking started. I pulled it to my house with my truck. I plan on pulling it to the hobby shop so I can get it in the air and take a look for myself. From what I was told the mechanic never mentioned if it was a rod not, even though it was driven to and from the shop. I've already accepted that it may be a rod.

 

Would I be able to see any evidence of the rod if I pull off the valve cover? That would help me know what to expect before I pull it to the shop.

 

Camaro 69 is right... but i have never see a hole in the oil pan from a rod break. My money is riding on a rod bearing, which probably means that the crank journal is wiped out. You cant tell anything without removing the oil pan.

 

taking off a valve cover will do you no good. Dropping the oil pan should tell you volumes. The knocking noise can be caused by low oil and if there is a hole in the pan then that is not uncommon. A rod breaking can easily put holes in the oil pan or block. If the body of the car is sound and in decient shape I would throw a new engine at it in a heart beat. You will need to get an LT1 engine and not just a regular small block 350, they are different in the front for the opti-spark or so I have been told. LT1 engines can be found in Camaros Corvettes and Caprice/Impalas. Good luck with your search and engine.

Massey

 

Unfortunately the car isn't in good enough shape for me to put an engine in it. Plus I'm pcs'ing soon and I can't take it with me. I'm still going to pull the pan off. Thanks for your help y'all.