218 engine noise help

[lelshaddai]

I have a 218 in a 53 suburban. It sat for many years and we have in running. It is making a higher pitched pulsating noise. It is not a squeak. We thought it was water pump but needed to replace it anyhow. It did not change the noise. It happens at idle or between shifting gears. I cannot hear it under load. Engine runs smooth, oil pressure at 60, water temp at 160. Mechanic friend thinks it may be a rod bearing. What is the sound for a worn rod bearing? I am not sure what to do. This is beyond my limited knowledge.

[dezeldoc]

if it was a rod bearing it would knock. Does it sound like it is at the engine rpm or slower. Get a stethoscope and listen on different areas on the block by the pan rail and the cam and lifter area, and accessories also. i would pull the oil filter and cut it open and cut a 2"x2" section out and squeeze it in a vice to get out as much oil as posable then open it up and look for any metal particles in it.

Edited July 29, 2012 by dezeldoc

[ptwothree]

You might also check around the clutch housing area...might be a throw out bearing or clutch problem...

[Andydodge]

I had a noise in the front of my 1941 Plymouth, thought it was the water pump, turns out it was the crank pulley rivets that hold it to the crank hub coming loose.........I ended up having to bolt the hub to the pulley.........that cut the noise but unfortunately the front seal stilled leaked........lol.........andyd

[JerseyHarold]

Put a stethoscope on the fuel pump and see if the noise is coming from there. Also step on clutch to see if noise goes away or changes.

[lelshaddai]

Clutch was rebuilt. New everything. I will check the fuel pump. I rebuilt it but I am also not being able to get fuel from the tank well. It starves under load. Been driving it with a 2 gallon under the hood. I will try the stethescope and let you know where the sound is coming from.

[lelshaddai]

I have changed the oil twice since it sat so long. I did not see any metal in the oil or filter.

[Plymouthy Adams]

if noise change when clutching etc..I would look at possible dry pilot bushing in the crank's end..

[Niel Hoback]

Take the belt off and try it again. Generators can whine.

[Rusty O'Toole]

Take the belt off and try it again. Generators can whine.

Fan belts too. Typical fan belt squeal is when idling right after starting or when you rev the engine up. The belt must be adjusted correctly, not as tight as with an alternator, you should be able to deflect the belt 3/4" with light thumb pressure.

If the belt is worn out it will be below the edge of the pulley. It could also be glazed or coated with oil or antifreeze.

Squirt some water on the belt, if the noise stops instantly but comes back a minute later, there is your problem.

[Plymouthy Adams]

we always tested squeaky belts by use of a bar of soap..as it is running put the soapr bar against one side then the other..this will quiet a belt fast..but only for a short time..it being glazed by prior slipping is usually the cause for the noise..

[suntennis]

I agree that such a sound would not come from a rod bearing. The sound comes from something that is rotating. Remove the fan belt, then run the engine to see if you still hear the sound. If the noise is gone, then it is comming from something driven by the fan belt. If the noise remains, maybe it is from the distributor.

[lelshaddai]

I used a steth and still cannot locate noise. New water pump, new belt, rebuilt fuel pump, carb, It does heat up to 205 at idle in a 100 degree garage, but the noise starts within 30 seconds of startup. I will try to include a video of the sound. I cannot tell which side. Is 205 way too hot? I still need to mix in the antifreeze to the correct balance.

[lelshaddai]

Here is a video. The sound was less this time. It is hard to hear in the video. Towards the end you can hear a higher pitched sound. I will try to get a better recording.

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g432/lelshaddai/?action=view&current=20120729_125617.mp4

[Niel Hoback]

Did you try it without the belt, because that what it sounds like. Touch the sides of the belt carefully while its running with a piece of chalk. It should go away.

[Plymouthy Adams]

belt noise would be consistant ..owner states noise in at idle or when shifting gears..not under load..the input shaft riding in a dry bushing..screams..when in gear and clutch is release, it is engaged and rotates with the engine thus locked at the speed of the crank..ie no noise..

[RobertKB]

I personally would never touch the belt with anything when the car is running. I like my fingers! You can turn the fan by hand and I would mark it then with water, soap, or chalk as mentioned. Takes a little longer but you will still have 8 fingers........and 2 thumbs. We actually only have eight fingers, but ten digits, the thumbs making the difference.

[JerseyHarold]

The clutch was replaced recently. Does the noise get louder if you remove the inspection cover from the bell housing? Are the clutch mounting bolts tight on the flywheel?

Edited July 29, 2012 by JerseyHarold

[Dodgeb4ya]

Just spraying a small of water or 409 ect out of a spray bottle on the belt will temporarily stop any belt noise. This just to see if the belt is making noise. I usually give the belt a shot of brake cleaner for a quick noise check.

Bob

[1941coupe]

Fan belt noise is not always constant. My 41 would squeak every time I set off from a standing start or started to back up. Under steady driving there was no squeaking but during idle with the hood open you could hear an uneven rotational sound. Replacing it solved the problem of a worn belt, eliminating the annoying squeak and sound at idle.

[lelshaddai]

I ran it without the fan belt and it still makes the noise. I included a video of the noise. Hard to hear but it is like the noise you get when driving down a bumpy road and parts are rubbing. http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g432/lelshaddai/?action=view&current=20120729_165703.mp4

[Niel Hoback]

Have you tried listening thru a piece of heater hose? Move it around the clutch housing and the intake manifold also to check for a whistling air leak.

[Plymouthy Adams]

go back and read the symptoms again and when the noise occurs...unless I read this wrong..if he has it in gear and the clutch out and rolling there is no noise..but idle and shiftin gear (clutch in) he has noise..if this is wrong then then maybe a better description is needed...

[1941coupe]

Check your idle mixture. Too lean a mixture can cause a popping noise as it did on my friends '40 Dodge, I adjusted the carb and it went away.

[dezeldoc]

Could also be a vacuum leak, they tend to make a high pitch sound.