Could this be my imagination. After replacing oil, ATF, coolant, couple of hose, plugs, air filter, oil filter and blowing the head gasket from a massive coolant loss and overheat (not in that order) my supposed rod knock/piston slap has gone?

Now I just need to machine the head, replace the exhaust, intake, valve cover and head gaskets. As well as replace belts, valve stem seals, adjust the shims, replace the vacuum hoses, fuel line, brake pads, spring/shocks, cap, rotor, wires, brake and ps fluid and 4 new tires. Oh yeah and clean the injectors. Should be a nice car.