Chevrolet Repair: Chevy 350 (5.7) engine ping, chevy 350, cold morning

Question
Dear Robert, I purchased a 1979 Chevy K-10 after returning home from Iraq, kind of a "making it home present" for myself.  When the engine was reved up one cold morning, I started hearing a knock.  Sounded to be high end, so I replaced a very wore out cam.  Many lobes were gone.  Back together and ready to go, now I have a crank ping.  Possible rod bearing?  I have seen different tricks to get oil pan off.  Any suggestions?  Thank you for your time. Frank

Answer
Hi Frank.... are you sure you have it timed right Frank...if it sounds more like a ping than a knock you may just be a little too far ahead in your timing... a trick to set timing for that if it is a ping is to have someone sit in the truck start and put in gear , bring up throttle holding brake till it pings then adjust timing back till ping is gone...then go ahead till ping comes back, then go back till it just dissapears again....to check for bottom end knock...first look at oil pressure is it good at idle..above 10lbs...snap the throttle and listen...it will sound like a knock not a ping....removing pan you will need too lift engine off mounts so pan can clear crossmember....let pan down and remove sump tube then pan should come out without removing engine....hope this helps...merry christmas