Hi friends - tragic news. I went on a spirited drive with my recent build yesterday, and decided to see what a few extra revs would get me... Rather than the normal 7000 RPM, I shifted at 7200 (and 19PSI), at which instance that sickening ticking sound began. Computer says cylinder 1 misfire, P0301. A vid is below:


Next steps I could take the value cover off an inspect, or go in with a boroscope and inspect (I'd have to buy one first). What would the experts here do to get started? And how can I prevent this from EVER happening again? IATs didn't exceed 120 (on a 50 degree day) and I have a rich running tune from Adrian, so I wonder if a) I have too much going on for the stock internals on the head or b) the guy that rebuilt it did a shotty job.

Tips appreciated - pretty bummed out at the moment.

 

I prefer to do the least intrusive things just to eliminate them from the equation, but that noise adds another thing to consider.

I think I would do a compression test first just to verify what I suspect is a misfire resulting from low compression. If cylinder 1 has lower compression than the other 3, I think I would remove the valve cover to determine if that ticking noise is from the valve train. In setting up for the compression test, you will be pulling your spark plugs which will give the chance to look at them for clues - one of those less intrusive things I was talking about.

As fair as how to "prevent this from ever happening again", I think first we must determine what "this" is.

 

Not looking good - 30-40 psi across ALL cylinders. May do a leak down test next...