a bad knocking sound

[KillaCam]

i just did a head gasket and new bolts and i took off 2 rocker retaining clips and i put them back and put it all back together and i start it and it has the worst knocking sound. idk what it is it has oil and everything. what do you think could be wrong. its not the standard m20 knock sound its a little louder. the knocking is comming from the center of the head

[slo325i]

is the timing belt timed right??

[KillaCam]

is the timing belt timed right??

you think that could be it.
when i did the head gasket i couldnt get the timing belt back on right so i slightly adj the head cam but not by much just on degree

[KillaCam]

you think i can drive it this way for atleast a day

[Eric Giles]

So are you saying that you pretty much disregarded the crank and camshaft alignment marks on the engine block and head just so you could get the timing belt back on?

[KillaCam]

So are you saying that you pretty much disregarded the crank and camshaft alignment marks on the engine block and head just so you could get the timing belt back on?

nope....... before i took it apart i set it to the marks then slipped the timing belt off but in the prosses of working on the head it could have been messed with because it didnt slipp back on once i tightened the head down back down.

[Adrian_Visser]

Don't drive it again until you have verified that the engine will freely rotate a full 720 degrees, pull the plugs and put a wrench on the crank hub. If your pistons/valves are making contact you are in trouble!

[jlevie]

Go back and double check cam timing. The noise you hear could be a piston kissing a valve from a mistimed cam.

[MR 325]

You obviously don't know how to install a timing belt. They don't "not go on". I'd recommend towing the car to a shop.