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1990 GMC: a bad miss and a loud knock in top end of motor

 
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  • Answered by:john
  • GMC Technician
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Customer Question

1990 GMC Sierra 5.7 (350) Has a bad miss and a loud knock in top end of motor, like a loud valve knock. Very bad miss on idle. When put under a load, it is real loud knock and bad miss. At idle it does not knock. New wires and plugs, all getting fire. Plugs are golden color. Noise is on driver side. Took valve cover off and all looks good. Rockers are all on. Runs like it has bad gas in it, but have half tank of gas and ran other half out for 2 weeks, and ran fine. Sounds like a diesel.

Thanks,
Jim

 

Optional Information:
Year: 1990
Make : GMC
Make (other): Sierra
Model: sle
Engine: 350

Already Tried:
Wires and plugs are good, all getting fire. Plugs are golden color. Took valve cover off and all looks to be in working order, no rockers off of valve, push rods look straight.

Submitted: 1176 days and 9 hours ago.
Category: GM
Value: $18
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  john replied1176 days and 9 hours ago.

Hello,

 

Your problem sounds like you may have a broken valve spring or a valve that is not seating due to damage.

Do a cylinder balance test on the engine to pinpoint the exact cylinder.Air the cylinder & make sure it holds pressure.if necessary remove the valve springs & inspect.look very closely at the valve guide to valve stem clearance .If you can move the valve side to side the guide is worn out.

Customer replied1175 days and 13 hours ago.

Did what you said. Everything is good. Had air cleaner off and valve covers off. Started motor and flogged it. Poppin thru carb. This is a timing issue??? Where would I go from here?

Thanks,
Jim

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Expert:  john replied1175 days and 13 hours ago.

The popping through the throttle body can be an incorrect timing or a faulty intake valve spring.

Customer replied1175 days and 13 hours ago.

Will I have to take valve springs off to inspect? Will timing light tell me anything?

Thanks,
Jim

Customer replied1175 days and 13 hours ago.

Will I have to take valve springs off to inspect? Will timing light tell me anything? I am not getting any error codes, either.

Thanks,
Jim

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  john replied1175 days and 13 hours ago.

The timing light will show you a problem "IF" the timing is moving caused from a fault.

 

Tr to find out which cylinder is backfiring through the throttle body before removing the springs.Do not mix up the springs.

 

You will need a special tool & a torque wrench to test the pressure it takes to depress each valve spring.If you do not have these tools I suggest you find the cylinder that is causing this problem ,remove the springs & replace if necessary.

Expert TypeGMC Technician
Category: GM
Pos. Feedback: 99.3 %
Accepts: 1341
Answered: 3/31/2010

Experience: ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN/40 years experience

Ask this Expert a Question >
Customer replied1174 days and 8 hours ago.

Will a set of 10065202 casting heads fit on my 1990 gmc sierra 5.7 tbi motor? Found a set right out of machine shop for $375.00. Is this a fair price, or would it be cheaper to redo my old ones?

Thanks,
Jim

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Expert:  john replied1174 days and 4 hours ago.

Yes,the heads will fit & I would use them rather than rebuild yours.

Customer replied1173 days and 12 hours ago.

Thanks,
Jim

Customer replied1173 days and 12 hours ago.

My last question, I promise. I can get these heads from my buddy, will they work?
Casting # 10125320.

Thanks so much,
Jim

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Expert:  john replied1173 days and 9 hours ago.

Yes,I believe they will also work.

 
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