maybe a head gasket leak. if you don't have a leakdown tester you should get one. did you do proper heat cycles and break in proceedures? I would check the torque on the head bolts
head torqued to specs. checked for leaks at head none there. i do have a leak down... nothing out of ordinary at crankshaft, cylinder, head or piston/rings. no slap scars at piston skirt or cylinder either
yeah i've done a million of these and never had a knock like this without piston slap or bad rod bearings.... has me scratchingf my head....dude did a pre mixer block off. i wonder