(long) knocking sounds

I've got a 87 ranger 2.0 I-4 no power anything, 5 speed no A/C no anything. I got the truck for free blowing oil everywhere. so i pulled the engine down and done a band-aid job on it (new rings bearings rods pistons cam gaskets ect.) and it ran fine except i could never get the carb quite right on it and it always lacked power bigtime.

when i put the clutch back on the flywhel before i put the engine back with the truck and tranny i broke a single bolt that holds the press plate to the flywheel, a couple weeks go by and i'm driving after the first oil change and it goes to knocking so i stop and theres no oil on the dipstick but the guage still reads pressure so i dump 5 or 6 more quarts into it and get back home again back home no oil. so i let it sit for a while not wanting to touch it just disgusted, until last weekend i put about 4 quarts in it (didn't even check it) and started the engine, and no knocking rev it up tight no knocks, then i put it in gear and ease off the clutch and it goes to knocking like hell so i mash in the clutch and rev it up again real high and it doesn't knock. long story short it has oil left in it but only knocks when it's in gear trying to move but I also get a puddle of oil under it when i run the engine.

any ideas??

I say you need some stawberry cough. and get rid of the truck. i need my med's now 420 somewhere

These engines never did have much power, but if it truly lacks poop, the cam timing might be off or the ignition timing is retarded.

As for the knock........... it might be a loose or spun rod bearing, which is a likely result of running very low on oil. Bad luck for sure.:frown:

is it worth it to pull it back down put new gaskets bearings bore it .060 and go back with it or what do you think it needs if it's worth it I'll pull it back out and apart but if not I'm gonna try and put a 302 in it.