Rod Knock or Timing is off ?

[Phantom DSM]

Hello everyone,

It has been awhile for me posting on this forum (school), and i researched this topic and have a good general knowledge about the 4g63, but i would like everyone's precious opinion please.
I recently started helping a friend that bought a 99 GS-T 2 months ago with 80k miles. The previous owner stated the engine had been replaced by mitsu dealer at 60k ( the oil pan even has the parts dept sticker with MD # looks new). My friend bought the car as is hearing the knock.
Diagnosis: The motor has a knock that gets faster as you rev but not exactly louder. While the motor is running we pull spark plug wire on cylinder # 1 and the noise decreases 75 %. The biggest mistake i regret was not checking if the timing is correct or doing a compression check. I say that because we quickly got frustrated and pulled the motor out.
We unbolt the head and notice the piston indentions on top where the valves are to "meet" are scored deeper than usual and the valves have made double indentions next to the original one's.
We then dropped the pan and noticed a dime size of copper shavings collected together, as if in a magnatized manner in the corner of the pan. No other shavings apparent. Im guessing thats from the break in since the motor has only 20k on it allegedly. We are confused at the moment and are about to pull the rod caps out to check the bearings. Its memorial day and we have to wait for machine shop to check if valves are bent. By the way when you push down on the lifters they do not go down.
I would appreciate any opinion regarding this motor before i take rod caps out or start blaming the balnce shaft stubs. What do u guys think ?
Thanks guys !!!

 

[xioca]

Go to a dark room, stick a flashlight in the runners and turn the cams to see if your valves are bent and bleeding light out the bottom when they should be sealed.

 

[Phantom DSM]

Dang, good idea i appreciate the help man. Let me check it out hopefully its just valves that were making the tapping. It would be a quick head job and we are done . thanks

 

[slickers111]

I dont think lifters are your problem my friend. I would take off the head, and inspect all the valves and cylinders.

 

[Phantom DSM]

Motor has already been removed and inspected. We already pulled it out. My main concern is about the gashing in the pistons from the valves hitting them. Thats why i wish that we checked the timing before pulling the motor and disassembeling it. Im at home and the motor is in his garage, i cant take pics or check bearings. I was wondering if anyone had an idea, before i go too deep ? Piston to valve clearance ? Thank you guys

 

[Phantom DSM]

well i decided to just take the rod caps out and check the bearings. I just have two questions :

1. Should the bearings slip off the crank easily ?

2. If the bearings are good, what would cause the piston to lift over deck and hit valves ?

Thank you guys for any responses.