Hey guys.
I've got an 1987 LT230EH with an engine knock. I've taken the engine apart and measured EVERYTHING that the OEM manual told me to, and it's all within spec. Any thoughts?
Post a video of said knock.
Its a knock and not a tick?
Whats the timing chain and tensioner look like?
I can't post a video, she's in pieces.

Timing chain is in spec and has very little side to side play, and sprocket/crank are real healthy, with no chain movement. The tensioner seems fine, but they don't talk about how to test them.
If it all looks good including the rotating assembly - put it together and run it.
I don't believe there is any plain bearings in that engine to cause a "knock" from oil pressure or worn bearings. Maybe something loose in the drive line ; clutch basket, primary gear, or even a loose ball skipping around in a bearing.
Worn cam or cam journal could be the culprit.
I did that 414. After I threw a bore and rod at it. I wasn't happy. I gotta find out what's making that sound in there!
Gill, you are correct. No plains. I'll check that stuff.

I checked the cam clearance first VDCW. 2 to 2 1/2 thou. Service limit is 6 thou. Damn I says. I bought a head for it too.
Perhaps the culprit is in another area of the engine, like the transmission or clutch packs?
i had a 230 quadsport( manual clutch) that sounded just like the rod was knocking, but when u pulled in the clutch it stoped, turned out the clutch basket was worn and the clutches were chatering, im quessing yours is semi auto? dont they still have a clutch pack behind the automatic clutch?
Yes it is. The centrifugal clutch and clutch wheel look healthy. No burns or non grooved spots.
put some Lucas oil in it and sell it. lol
Greek! I'm tryin' to fix it so I CAN sell it!
lucas oil will fix that knock.
Come on Greek, you know I can't sell somebody somethin then say, "Oh yeah, you gotta put this stuff in the oil or it'll knock real bad!"
Has it ever been over- revved for a long period of time? The old 230's liked to twist the crank.
Possibly. But I had an OEM rod kit put in not too long ago by a friend who has been doing it for, I'd say, 40 years. Always presses 'em to the right clearance and trues 'em up.
check for ball bearings in your muffler, some ones prob pullin a trick on ya
i wonder if it could have a valve seat lifting??? i had a diesal truck at work that had a wicked knock when it got hot, turned out the valve seat was lifting holding up a valve for the piston to punch
No, I just replaced those. I added blinkers so I could change the fluid too!

Hmm. How would I tell if that's my problem?
well we found out after pulling the head a 2nd time and seeing a valve head wedged in piston, and seat was cramed against the injetor tip lol
Ah. I don't have any of that!
Does it have a kickstarter installed?
Starter gear disengaging properly?
All of the engine mounts secure?
I dunno man, have you tried to falcon punch it?
It doesn't have a kickstarter, this is the electric start version.
Starter clutch works correctly. Slips when it needs to, grabs when it needs to.
Engine mounts were torqued to Zook specs.
Falcon Pawnch? No, haven't tried that yet. I figure that will cause MORE damage than fix it.
I've got a 230E like yours, and the reason I was asking about the kick starter is because you can install one...not that it has one from the factory.
I'm out of ideas on this...does it knock all the time or just when certain conditions are met?