Hey whats going on? Ok my car is a 89 Formula Lo3 it has a pinging sound coming from the engine Sounds like a lifter tapping but its not I am for sure of that. So what else can cause a Pinging sound? Can a worn out harmonic balancer do it? You can here it best from underneith the car it sounds like its coming through the exhaust? Anyone have any ideas?


Thanks,


I DRAG 2

 

Sounds like a spark knock to me. One other thing you can check out is the pressure regulator valve in the tranny, if it's an auto. Does it sound like it's grinding/buzzing when in the Drive/Reverse gears? I think that took care of the noise in my car. I also did some head work too, so I might have gotten rid of any "spark-knock" that could have been present. I don't know, people complain about those noises with the L03/700R4 a lot, and the only thing I can say about it is, either forget about the sound, or get it fixed.

The new pressure regulator valve part # is:

(PN: 8684048) Get that checked out.

This noise won't hurt performance at all.

But, I'm just going to build me a 350 and get into the 12s!

-ws6formula-

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1989 Pontiac Formula WS6
69,000 miles.
------------------------
305 TBI, 4.10 gears, SLP Zexel/Torsen Limited Slip Differential, 700r4 Corvette Servo, LT4 Hot Cam/Valvesprings, GM Aluminum Driveshaft, 2700 RPM Stall, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold, Turbocity TB. Ran on 6-19-2001 again: UPDATED: 14.1 @ 97.68 mph. Dyno'd Bone Stock @ 172.6 rwhp, 266 ft-lbs. of rw-torque.

 

Well the tranny is a TCI just rebuilt again.
And can I have spark Knock at an IDLE????? How can I fix it if the answer is yes I moved my timing all over and its still there?


Thanks,

I DRAG 2

 

Well I don't know about at idle...could be stuff rattling [i.e., maybe the exhaust]. Well, just live with the noise, LOTS of people complain about L03 woes. Or get a 350 like I'm planning.

-ws6formula-

------------------
1989 Pontiac Formula WS6
69,000 miles.
------------------------
305 TBI, 4.10 gears, SLP Zexel/Torsen Limited Slip Differential, 700r4 Corvette Servo, LT4 Hot Cam/Valvesprings, GM Aluminum Driveshaft, 2700 RPM Stall, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold, Turbocity TB. Ran on 6-19-2001 again: UPDATED: 14.1 @ 97.68 mph. Dyno'd Bone Stock @ 172.6 rwhp, 266 ft-lbs. of rw-torque.

 

does it get faster with idle? if it does, then it is your exhaust mani

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No, I think he described something else other than an exhaust leak. He's talking about a chattering noise at idle. Not in sequence like an exhaust leak should be like. Umm...the best way I can explain it is like he's rattling change in small box at different rates. I had that same problem too, seemed to go away when I got that pressure reg. valve, and head work. Well, you can try that, maybe the exhaust leak is just surfacing and hasn't risen to it's full glory yet...hmm, puzzling!

------------------
1989 Pontiac Formula WS6
69,000 miles.
------------------------
305 TBI, 4.10 gears, SLP Zexel/Torsen Limited Slip Differential, 700r4 Corvette Servo, LT4 Hot Cam/Valvesprings, GM Aluminum Driveshaft, 2700 RPM Stall, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold, Turbocity TB. Ran on 6-19-2001 again: UPDATED: 14.1 @ 97.68 mph. Dyno'd Bone Stock @ 172.6 rwhp, 266 ft-lbs. of rw-torque.

[This message has been edited by ws6formula89 (edited July 05, 2001).]