So, I was driving along in my '74 2.1 liter when I decided to take a hard right corner somewhat fast. As soon as I made the turn a loud tapping/knocking sound started in the engine.
I pushed the clutch in to see if the noise changed with the RPMs, it did. So I thought oh crap, I just lost a valve or something. But after about a min or so it stopped and smoothed out like normal.
I kind of think it has something to do with oil moving to one side of the engine, but that was a BAD sound.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jon

Check your oil

something came loose and the fan sucked it up

Oil is right on.

I also checked the fan and it was clear.

cv joints and axles?

No, it was def in the engine. The noise changed with the change in RPMs of the engine.

Solid or Hydraulic lifters? Stock oil pump?

Check your rock arms/shafts. I've seen everything from broken arms, to bent push rods, to shaft retaining bolts coming loose.

solid lifters, stock oil pump

Try taking a hard right turn again, keeping a close eye on oil pressure. Intermittent problems are a pain to fix if they can't be identified. Let us know what you find.

I did notice a low oil pressure when the sound happened. As soon as the noise stopped the oil pressure went back up to normal.

How many miles on that engine? Oil temps normal? Do like Elliot said but turn both ways and watch oil pressure.

Ew... Not good. What's done is done at this point, but it's time to start cutting open oil filters and listening for that noise at hot idle.

Probably true. Drain the oil. Remove the oil filter. Cut it up and look for shiny sparkly bits in the oil. Spread the oil on the back of your hand and take it into the sunlight. If you have a handful of glitter, the engine is toast. Or soon to be.

The trick here is to go to an automotive paint store and get a paper strainer, drain the oil into the strainer, and look for metallic bits... Sounds like it ran at low oil pressure for a while, so you'll probably see a metallic sheen when the oil comes out.

What weight and brand oil were you running?

I have around only 3000 miles on the engine.
Oil temp was around 120.

I'm running Valvoline VR1 20W-50.

You need a filter cutter. You can't cut the can with a hacksaw as it will make metal bits and screw up the test.

The idea is to cut the top off the filter, remove the fan folded filter media. Cut a vertical wedge out of it ... about 1/4 - 1/3 the diameter.

Place it in a vise, wrapped with shop rags to absorb the oil and squeeze the oil out.

Take the media out of the vice, unwrap it and unfold it. Look in the creases of the media for metal particles. Lots = bad news .... minimal = you may have dodged a bullet.

In the turn, you more than likely heard the rods knocking due to lack of oil pressure.

Seen the cat lately?

meow...... OMG....BTDT , but not likely on a 914

Or a coffee filter.

--DD

+100 for that!

I ran all over town trying to find an engine shop open on a sunday, and when I finally found one, they handed me a coffee filter. I felt like an idiot.

Takes a little linger to drain than a paint strainer, but it catches more.

Didn't even think about that..... good call, use a coffee filter.

were not looking for kidney stones here a red shop rag works too. it will be obvious. did your case halves bolt together effortlessly & did the crank spin freely when reassembled? any oil pressure readings?

Yes, the case went together easily. And, I have the proper end play set at .003.

Oil pressure when cold is around 60psi.
With the engine warmed up it's around 40-60psi at speed.
And it idles around 20-30psi.