Hahaha:P

Ok, update: turns out I don't have an ignition problem. In my haste button things back up on the side of the road, I forgot that I disconnected my distributor ground to get the valve cover off. Distributor is grounded to a screw on the alarm, which is on the d-side inner fender. No ground = no distributor electronics = no spark. Reconnected ground, fires right up....and knocks. Now it's a more regular knock, once every other crank revolution. Sounds like piston/valve interference=/ Going to pull a valve cover and crank the engine by hand.

Worst case, I misadjusted one of the rockers, bent a valve, and maybe flattened a lifter. Stupid. But if that's the case...I suppose it gives me a reason to put decent heads on it. I might end up selling the '90 GT to pay for them though I dunno, we'll see. I'm at the shop right now, gonna get back to work

 

Ok, problem solved, car runs fine now. After much hair pulling, readjusting the d-side rockers one by one, compression checking, and more hair pulling, one of my shop teachers had a listen to the then present 'knock' and determined that it wasn't a knock, it was a mean pop out the intake due to an exhaust valve not opening. Turned out to be a p-side rocker that I apparently didn't tighten the set screw on that worked its way loose. Fixed it, car runs perfectly.

UGH.

 

After you tighten the set screws, give it another small 1/16 turn or so. Snug it up and that will really lock it down. Set screws by themselves are tough to get to lock, especially if not of the top of a flat stud by ARP. Ones with the dimples in the center of the stud are a real PITA

 

At least it wasn't a big deal!

 

wooOO!!

 

Damn, I thought you were going to say the knocking sound was Glenn wanting back in

 

They're actually Comp Cams studs with flat tops. I don't think it worked itself loose on its own, I think I just didn't snug the screw down enough. I torqued the rest of the down pretty good, I think I just missed the one. I feel stupid, but no actual damage was done. Car runs great now.

 

Hey, as they say **** happens! No foul and you are good to go. Glad you got it worked out.

 

Not as well as mine

 

Glad you got your problem solved. The education that problem gave you thuogh is priceless. Sound like your shop teacher has heard a few exhaust cam lobes worn out in the past.