Lifter knocking, will it get worse

[Mango™]

Hello fellow s-10 owners!

I have a 1991 Chevy s-10 v-6 4.3l with 165k miles.

I have a bad lifter knocking and I have tried all the oil addiditives and it will not go away.

I will have to overhaul the moter but money is the issue.

My question is, will it get worse?

I am burning oil, like 1-2 quarts a week.

Thanks guys/girls.

Mango™

[OverBoardProject]

when your buning that much oil it's time to either fix the motor or replace it.
So I don't think that you should worry about the lifter noise so mucn

That's my 2 cents worth anyways

[balls_to_the_wall]

My question is what did you do to that poor 4.3L to get that bad that quick?

[OverBoardProject]

That usually happens when people change the oil once every 3 or 4 years

[balls_to_the_wall]

Ahhh ok, I wondered what it took.

[Mango™]

No I chage the oil like clock work. This truck was sitting in someones back yard for a year and a half and it was given to me.
I got it running and took care of it. I think when it was sitting there it may of broke or something.
Thanks for the feed back.

[OverBoardProject]

Even though it needs a motor you got quite the deal.
A free truck is always nive, How's the body and the rest of it?

[Mango™]

other than the oil and knocking, the truck runs great. free is good huh.

[movin2stereo]

Originally Posted by balls_to_the_wall

My question is what did you do to that poor 4.3L to get that bad that quick?

Mine turned a bearing with a 100,000.I bought it used though and it's hard to say how it was taken care of.

[balls_to_the_wall]

Free is the best way to get something! I was wondering, cause we have a 4.3 that is over 1/4 million miles, and quite a few sbc's that are WAY up there in miles, and none of them have lifter problems. I was just intrigued by one that had problems so early in life.

[crosscut]

Hey...before you try replacing the engine, let me tell you about a similar problem I had in my jeep engine. I started using more then the usual amount of oil and I had a constant lifter knock issue. I told my mechanic and he suggested replacing the gasket under a panel or part near or associated with the intake/injectors. He said that if it went bad, the engine would suck oil and I 'd get a knock from carbon buildup on the plugs. I had him do it and - voila! No more knock and no more carrying around a gallon of oil in the back. It's worth a try...sorry I can't be more specific about the location of the gasket. I'll try to get hold of the mechanic and see if I can tell you.

[Mango™]

Well I got a rebuilt long block and replaced it and finally got it to turn over, now I need to time it. It turns and back fires in the carb. How do you time it, 91 S10, 157k miles, v6 4.3l.
New dist, new plugs, new wires, new oil, new trans fluid, new rad fluid.
Thanks