1982 F150 5.8 V8 2wd. The engine started knocking, almost a thumping, that was varied in repitition while idling. The knocking stoped when I reved the engine. There is no oil pressure gauge. The next morning it would not turn over only a loud grinding. After a couple of tries I let it sit then tried again, it started a little rugh then drove ok the rest of the day. Friends told me it might be the oil pump. Also blows black smoke when starting up. I got a new pump and removed the bolts on the oil pan and removed the exhaust pipe that lays under the pan. Still won't come out. Is there a way without hoisting the engine? I don't have the means to do this. Could it be something other than the pump? How do I find the problem without tearing apart the engine?

 

From my understanding and experience I know the 302s either need lifted out or jacked up to remove the oil pan because of the cross member underneath the pan I'm not sure if the 351s are the same or not but I would assume they are. Unfortunately its either lift the motor or pull it out. I don't think that there's a way to finangle it out without doing one or the other because of how low the oil pump is in the sump on the pan.

 

The cross member and pump are definatly blocking it. I was hoping there was another way. I have a couple of jacks; but, never lifted an engine before. I was hoping there was a way to test if it was the oil pump before I go any further.

 

If you take out the dizzy and pull off the valve covers you can take a socket on a long extension and stick it down the hole where the dizzy was and catch it on the oil pump shaft and prime it...use a power drill to spin the shaft fast enough basically to see if its pumping that's bout it

 

Actually, if yours has an idiot light for the oil pressure rather than a gauge, or even if it doesn't, there should be a sensor or sending unit somewhere in the block on the drivers side and you can likely find a cheap oil pressure gauge and thread adapter to plug into the existing thread port just for the purpose of determining whether there is pressure. You'll need it to at least start, even poorly, to build pressure as you can't really get an accurate idea by just cranking it.

 

X2. Get the gauge first. But if you do have to drop the pan. Its not as hard as it sounds. Just remove the manifold bolts where it connects to the exhaust and loosen the motor mount bolts jack it up and put a piece of wood under the motor mounts. Be a good idea to get a buddy to watch the upper intake plenuem when your jacking the engine so it doesnt come in contact with the firewall. Thats if it is fuel injected..

 

Where was the knock? if it was in the rear you might want to look at the flywheel if the bolts have sheared/loosened the flywheel will wobble and make sound like knockin and will not line up with the starter causing a starter crash (grinding sound) when trying to start. You should be able to look between the flywheel and torque converter and see the bolts on an auto transmission. The smoke on startup could be a valve seal leaking. Hope this helps.