Knocking and whistling
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Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
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From: Downtown Chicago
Car: 85 TA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700
Knocking and whistling
Hey guys,
I got an 85 TA and when i turn the car on i hear this knocking coming from the block. I can't hear it as much when i rev the engine but it stands out when the car is at low RPMs. I just put some havoline 10w30 so i dont think the oil is the issue. My friend said something about a spun rod or something. What do you guys think?
The knocking goes faster as i rev the engine. They just put this engine in so i don't know.
Also, the butterfly in my intake whistles at idle i dont know how to fix that either.
thanks
I got an 85 TA and when i turn the car on i hear this knocking coming from the block. I can't hear it as much when i rev the engine but it stands out when the car is at low RPMs. I just put some havoline 10w30 so i dont think the oil is the issue. My friend said something about a spun rod or something. What do you guys think?
The knocking goes faster as i rev the engine. They just put this engine in so i don't know.
Also, the butterfly in my intake whistles at idle i dont know how to fix that either.
thanks
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,803
Likes: 2
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Car: Z28
Engine: Sb2.2 406
Transmission: Jerico 4 speed
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.60
Is it a consistent clunk-clunk-clunk noise (main bearing). Or is it like the main bearing noise, but more inconsistant (rod bearing)?
but usually, its the rod
The bearings are seated via small grooves at the ends of the bearings. What this means is the bearings are not meant to spin. Yes the crank spins int he bearings, but the bearings themselves are not meant to spin. When a bearing comes free from its seat, you have spun a bearing.
what it means for the future of your engine. If your engine truly did spin a bearing, you will have to pull the engine and rebuild it. That means complete tear down and rebuild. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if it is a spun bearing, there is no 'easy' answer, short of buying a new engine. But then either way, an engine has to come out and an engine has to go back in. You could always buy a new car.
but usually, its the rod
The bearings are seated via small grooves at the ends of the bearings. What this means is the bearings are not meant to spin. Yes the crank spins int he bearings, but the bearings themselves are not meant to spin. When a bearing comes free from its seat, you have spun a bearing.
what it means for the future of your engine. If your engine truly did spin a bearing, you will have to pull the engine and rebuild it. That means complete tear down and rebuild. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if it is a spun bearing, there is no 'easy' answer, short of buying a new engine. But then either way, an engine has to come out and an engine has to go back in. You could always buy a new car.
Last edited by Stekman; May 16, 2004 at 01:26 AM.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Downtown Chicago
Car: 85 TA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700
i talked to the mechanic that swapped the engines and he said the engine was running fine and that he thinks it could be a bearing but he said to bring the car tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Downtown Chicago
Car: 85 TA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700
i was driving home tonight and i stepped on it pretty good and when i stopped at some the stop lights, i couldnt hear the knocking. I got home and i let the car idle for a bit and i could hear it again.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Downtown Chicago
Car: 85 TA
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: 700
Just got back from seeing the mechanic. He said the knocking is not loud/rough enough to be a spun rod. He said it could be a rocker. What do you guys think?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Orlando, Florida
Car: 92' Firebird Convertable
Engine: 5.0L TBI "E"
Transmission: 700r4
Low knock only when cold
92` with a 305 tbi. I have (it sounds like a knock) in the lower part of the engine but it is only after it has sat overnight or all day at work (9 - 10 hours a day). When the engine warms up and I leave and get to the first light.... it is gone. It is puzzling even to my tech buddy. Anyone else have/had this issue?
Member

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 19
From: Ft Myers, FL
Car: 92 Firebird Conv
Engine: 305
Transmission: T-56 w/3.42 Posi
Re: Low knock only when cold
Originally posted by formie95
92` with a 305 tbi. I have (it sounds like a knock) in the lower part of the engine but it is only after it has sat overnight or all day at work (9 - 10 hours a day). When the engine warms up and I leave and get to the first light.... it is gone. It is puzzling even to my tech buddy. Anyone else have/had this issue?
92` with a 305 tbi. I have (it sounds like a knock) in the lower part of the engine but it is only after it has sat overnight or all day at work (9 - 10 hours a day). When the engine warms up and I leave and get to the first light.... it is gone. It is puzzling even to my tech buddy. Anyone else have/had this issue?
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 1
From: Tigard, Oregon
Car: '86 Berlinetta
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
probably an exhaust leak. Check the header gaskets first.
With a spun bearing you most typically wont have high oil pressure, and if your knock sensor works, then the car will try retarding the timing so bad that it will end up shutting the car down at idle unless you gas it.
With a spun bearing you most typically wont have high oil pressure, and if your knock sensor works, then the car will try retarding the timing so bad that it will end up shutting the car down at idle unless you gas it.
Member

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 19
From: Ft Myers, FL
Car: 92 Firebird Conv
Engine: 305
Transmission: T-56 w/3.42 Posi
i figured i would revive this thread just for amusement. I figured out what the knocking was... it started with the light knocking sound.. then the oil pressure randomly went up and down.. then the oil pressure was none existant.. then the loud clanking sound as i got stuck on the side of the interstate for a few hours...yep spun bearing... now time for god's ultimate creation.. the ls1
Last edited by Speedy Mike; Nov 6, 2006 at 11:48 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Car: 92 RS/ 87 T/A
Engine: 305/L98
Transmission: 700R/700R
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi/3.27 Posi
You might want to try checking your fly wheel and torque converter bolts they might be loose after all you said that you just had the engine changed.Oh just about forgot the whistling is probably a vaccum leak you can test around the plenum by spraying ether or starting fluid around that area while the engine is running but be careful not to use too much might blow something up but if there is a leak in that area the car will idle up by itself when you spray it.
Last edited by hoseman007; Nov 7, 2006 at 07:19 AM.
Member

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 19
From: Ft Myers, FL
Car: 92 Firebird Conv
Engine: 305
Transmission: T-56 w/3.42 Posi
oh i already took out the motor, the whistling was the tbi, so i changed all the gaskets and seals, then the motor started that loud knocking sound, i put it on a trailer, took it home and pulled out the motor. the crank was worn 50 thousandths of an inch and the bearing was very thin. You could actually take the rod and move it back and forth... I did find an l98 yesterday that i am going to put in temporarly until i find an ls1.. does anyone know if the tbi intake will work ok with the l98 block/heads??
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