Knocking on Startup (timing chain replaced)

[Good53X]

I bought this 240sx with the timing chain rattle in full swing.

I have now replaced the timing chain, sprockets, tensioner and guides. I also cleaned out the oil pan.

I have the technical guide (although it's somewhat difficult to find timing information in :P) and I torqued everything to spec, except where some threads were pulled on the valve cover.

I filled my oil and coolant, checked my levels, and dry cranked it (fuel pump fuse out) to prime the oil pump.

I then started the car with the distributor supposedly set to 0 degrees (rotor at the #1 position with the timing mark at 0 degrees (red line)).

I have oil pressure instantly (huge improvement over before!) and the timing chain rattle is gone (thank god!) however I now have an aweful knocking. I can't tell whether or not it's coming from the valve cover or not.

The car had been sitting for a few months while I waited for parts/time to do the repairs. Could one of my lifters be acting up? It sounds pretty aweful. Any idea what else could be causing a knock sound?

Please note: I rotated the engine by hand before reassembling and valves are not contacting pistons (at least by hand they aren't). I also noted poor oil pressure before the repair, and good oil pressure after. I installed a new oil filter.

Replaced during this repair:-Water Pump-Oil Pump-Timing Chain and Sprockets-Tensioner and Guides-Assorted Gaskets including Valve Cover

I have a timing light available but haven't checked my timing yet as I haven't wanted to leave it running, and it isn't up to temp yet. Will a noisy lifter figure itself out? Would timing cause a knock? Assuming I have oil pressure and coolant flow is it safe to leave it running? I don't know 240's so I'll just have to hope someone here has had this issue before.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

EDIT:Alright so I started her up and threw on my timing light, the distributor CAN'T be lined up properly. The lines are -5 0 5 10 15 right? That would mean I'm timed at like ~-12. I'm praying that's what the noise was and I'm gonna pull the distributor and oil pump and give it another shot. Any comments still appreciated as I'm not 100% sure I've found the issue. Thanks again.

EDIT 2:Yeah, I fixed the timing and the knocking is still there. It's quite loud, I'm hoping it's just a lifter that's tapping. I'll continue searching about lifter noise and leave the car sitting for now. Anyone with information on repairs for noisy lifters (or other knocks from the engine), please feel free to reply :PModified by Good53X at 5:47 PM 9/1/2008
Modified by Good53X at 5:49 PM 9/1/2008

[emo_tactical9]

You think it may be a rod knocking?

[Good53X]

I brought the engine up to temp to pop the thermostat and check for oil leaks, so far no leaking. During that process the sound almost vanished.

Talking to an Autotech teacher he's convinced that when I had the engine dumped (no oil/coolant) and rotated it by hand I completely compressed a lifter and the spring is caught. He thinks that it should work itself out and that if it doesn't I should just replace all my lifters - it couldn't do any harm.

I have some valve/lifter doctor crap to throw in my oil (It's a solvent that is supposed to loosen sticking lifters, but I imagine it also thins the oil so that it flows more easily into the lifter body). I'll run it for 5 minutes and then change it out for some 10w30 high mileage garbage, and then I'll probably switch to some 5 or 0w30 synthetic at the next oil change. I only want this motor to run for a year or so without exploding, so as long as it's valvetrain noise I'm no longer concerned... it was just ALARMINGLY loud at first.

[Good53X]

This is a shameless bump.

I ran some valve doctor through the engine and changed the oil, the lifter noise is gone (miracle).

However, I got the car emmisions tested and insured, and now the timing chain noise is back. I couldn't believe it when I heard it, but sure enough it continued to get louder and louder as I drove it.

One day I drove it. Two trips, and by the end of the day it's quite noticable from outside the vehicle. It's nowhere near as bad as it was before (metal on metal grinding/rattling sound) but it's audible. I'm assuming this means that the new chain guide I installed on the non-actuated side (right side?) is ****ty and cheap and already worn out. I've parked the car and will drive an alternate.

I've heard about an updated part from Nissan, and I'll search for information about it. Does anyone know if this works for the sohc motor? I'm sick of this noise, it's embarassing!