I'm new to the y-block group, was a previous Ford FE guy. My 57 T-Bird, which is new to me as of Nov of 2013, is making a slight "knocking" noise (when hot) and it became noticeable after I discovered both rocker arm shafts were not quite lined up as the drain tubes on both sides were not present. I got two drain tubes and holders, aligned the shafts on both sides and now notice this knocking noise. Experience tells me now that I now have less oil pressure due to oil now flowing into and back out of shafts could my main bearings or connecting rod bearings be worn? Any thoughts?

1957 Thunderbird 312 Fordomatic

block off the rocker return tubes,ther was a good post showing taping the stand with drain tubesand modifieing the capscrew so it aligns the oil holes as well as blocking the return oil. i am a fan of oil presure at the rockers. ther will be some that disagree. you may want some positiv valve seals on the intakes.smoke will tell you. on my 292 had to make the stand wher oil enters flat,i cut a grove with a flatened drill bit an instaled a o ring,as oil was squirting onto int valve.posibly the noise is worn rockers.

Thank you for your reply, the noise is NOT from the rockers, had the valve covers off when running..............

1957 Thunderbird 312 Fordomatic

In the past, what sounded like a rod knock was actually the mounting tabs on the flex plate for the converter.  You didn't say whether your car is a three speed or an automatic but if an auto check this.This was supposedly rectified with the 57 flexplate, but you never know what has been installed over the years.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Welcome to a great online Forum.  Great because of the knowledgeable individuals who unselfishly try to help each other. 
_______________________Noises can be tough...Thoughts:1) I like Paul's suggestion a lot!  IF you have an automatic trans. check the flexplate bolts...
2) I like an oil pressure gauge to tell me what the oil pressure is at idle...3) I like to use a stethoscope type listening rod for isolating the location of noises...

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Backing up for a minute..were both sides of the engine getting adequate oil to the rockers? If that's o.k., it's been suggested you could have a broken Flex plate, my 57 car had this problem. Some times they knock quite badly. If that's not the problem, as also has been suggested, you could hook up a manual oil guage, even temporarily to see if you have good pressure. Then check further the previously suggested items.. good luck.    


Paul

AND, IF the oil pressure is LOW, it could be the oil pump.  IF the by-pass valve is malfunctioning, the output pressure could be low...Regarding the previous suggestion of modifying the rockerarm shafts for pressurized oiling... If you dig through the Forum Archives, there is a lot of debate on this subject.
Personally, for my street and highway application, I like the oil directed by the overflow tubes.  On one cylinder bank the overflow oil is directed toward the distributor and cam gear and the machined bore for the end of the distributor shaft.  On the other cylinder bank the overflow oil is directed toward the timing gear set.  Again, one guy's opinion.  - Google Tim McMaster's web site at yblockguy.com

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Guys, all good information. Here's where I stand on this issue. Yes I have a Fordomatic. As I said in the beginning, it only made this "sound" when the car was fully warmed up and sitting idle. Now, before all your suggestions came in, I changed the oil filter and added a quart of Rislone oil treatment, the thick stuff. I took the drain tubes on both sides off the valve stands and shimmed or blocked off half of the passage ways in the tubes to reduce flow (increased pressure) and reinstalled. It is now NOT doing it or at least I ran it to hot temperature and I did not notice the noise. That doesn't mean I fixed it as such, I need to drive it more and see. Based on this so far, wouldn't this eliminate the flex plate problem mentioned by a few? Still open to comments, thanks guys.

1957 Thunderbird 312 Fordomatic

If the noise is gone by what you did, I would say it eliminates the flex plate issue.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Sent a PM. I would stop driving it now. Get the pan off and check all of the rod bearings. A few hours and a pan gasket set is worth the peace of mind.....

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.