So I started my motor like I usually do weekly since it hasn't been smog legal for a year. I suddenly hear this knocking sound that is very spurratic. It was surprising to see after all this while and mildly driven. The car then dies.

I try it again and rev it to 4000 to be sure it's not just a cold start of misfiring. It sounds like it was misfiring but with a weird random knock coming from cylinder #1. The oil is now black , however the block seems to be running smooth when I rev it higher. It's just then random knock and misfiring coming from cylinder 1, or at least sounds like it. I have yet to check the spark plugs and I know that's a first to check, but any ideas before hand?

My valves need tightening?

 

Bump

 

compression check check plugs check over your ignition wires the basic. most likely not the valves in that case but it wouldn't hurt to check the clearance with a feeler gauge anywho. keep us posted of the results

 

Anybody know what a loose valve would sound like? And of course a dropped valve would destroy an engine even on start up right?

 

correcto sounds like a crazy ticking sound you would definitely know if you had it

 

And it normally fires and runs OK without misfiring? BTW your oil is supposed to be black. The detergents in the oil keep dirt suspended in the oil. If your oil wasn't black the inside of your engine would be coated with that dirt instead. In your case, since the car is sitting, the oil may be oxidizing also.

 

So the motor would be toasted if it was a dropped valve correct? And if a piston tapped a valve, I could have a bent valve possibly and the motor would still run? I have yet to check the plugs but I just can't believe without even driving it a lot something happened at start up.

 

Is there anything else you can tell us about the way the car ran before it started running like this and making this noise? How often did you drive it or did you just start it and let it idle (or hold it at a high idle)? 'Dropped valve' doesn't really mean anything unless you know what would have caused it (like a valve keeper popped out, but how the hell would that happen if the engine has been assembled properly?). Your valve clearance is not going to change just from sitting and this engine does not have hydraulic lash adjusters, correct? If it has been sitting like you have said and you only start it intermittenly the most likely cause is a fuel fouled plug but really anything in the secondary ignition (cap, rotor, wires) could be suspect. The noise you are hearing is possibly the misfire, which may sound like a knock but may be fuel burning in the exhaust. Any more info would help. And pull your plugs! Take pics and post them if you can.