I6 Engine Knock - HELP!

I just reinstalled my full refurbished single-barrel Holley carb in my '59 Edsel Ranger after the car had been sitting for about 2 months without being started. The good news is that it started right up. The bad news is that now there is a major knock coming from the engine that was not here when the car was last run. Before I start the process and major expense of dealing with a mechanic does anyone have any ideas of what it could be?

The engine is a 223cid I6. The whole story is that a about four months ago I tuned up the car, added new oil, new plugs, changed out wires, etc. even changed out the fuel tank and it was running perfect (for a couple of months). The only problem was that it was hard starting and the carb leaked gas.

After several attempts to stop the leaking, I decided to send the carb out to be completely refurbished/restored. So the car sat idle for about two months while I finally sent the carb in and it was returned.

Once I installed it (I also installed a new inline fuel filter between the pump and the carb - the old one that had been on the car had its glass bowl cracked) I had to pour gas into the carb several times to get everything primed and back running. It started great, but within a few seconds it started to have a low metallic knock, which increased in volume and pitch when the engine was revved/gunned. There was also a hissing sound like air being sucked or blown out somewhere. At that point I turned off the engine, and left in despair! (Just kidding - sort of)

I have sense looked through the info I have discovered that it could be anything, from bad gas (which I can probably rule out since I am using the same gas in my regular car) to major mechanical issues. I have also read that there could be some vacuum issues with spark advance on the I6 engine. Once I regain the courage and patience I will try to resolve the problem.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

The sad part is that I purposely choose an Edsel with an I6 engine for my future daily driver, because I had always heard how foolproof and easy to work on this engine was. I guess that may be true UNLESS it is installed in an EDSEL. (Gotta love that car!….'Cause love is BLIND)[/i]

Shudder! Did you leave the engine sitting 2 months without anything over the carb hole? Could something have dropped into the intake between removal and reinstallation?

No, I was extremely careful to keep the opening covered the entire two months, but I guess anything is possible.
:roll:

I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but that was what I did!

If it is knocking or rattling and didn't before, you may have dropped something into the intake.

Check this out.

It just may be possible that something was dropped in the intake manifold during the month the carb was off the car. (A month is along time and I do have little helpers!)
Is there any way I can easily check, say by taking off the intake/exhaust manifolds and probing with a magnet? Or will I have to lift the head?
I want to determine the real cause without too much dismantel of the engine, but I also do not want to run it any longer than necessary to minimize damage if there is something in the cylinder.
Any suggestions?
Note: I an not a newbie to working on engines BUT I am far from a seasoned Pro.

You may be able to pull the plugs, and shine a light into the plug holes, With maybe the help of a mirror you should see the tops of the pistons. Provided each is at the top of its stroke, of course.

Why not throgh the manifold, since that would have been the only route for the "whatever" to get into the engine?
I agree the plugs will be easier to remove, but will I have enough clearance to see and/or remove whatever is in there (if anything)?
Initially, I thought it might have been the fact that I had to pour gas down the carb to get the car to start after sitting for 2 months and I may have overdid it. Or since I also heard a hissing sound it may have been a vacuum leak. And I was told the spark advance was controlled by vacuum on the 223 I6.

I just know at this point I am a bit lost and a little afraid to restart the car if something is loose in the cylinder. It could cause a minor issue to become major ($) in a heart beat.

:roll:

i once saw a picture of the guts of a motor and its supercharger after a 3/8 bolt fell into it, i can tell you it was not nice