Hi guys,
First here's some background which could be related to the problem

Last september, I swiched from 2.8 to 5.0, and from auto to a 5 spd. I installed a new cam, intake and carb at this time.

In mid fall I started having starter problems; laboured starting (which would go away after a few turns of the key) similar to having a dying battery (battery was new, and has since been tested and verified to be good). The laboured starts would often be interupted by sudden turning over followed by a grinding noise (sounded like the teeth where breaking) which would be followed by breaking a nose cone.

I have replaced the battery, cables, checked timing, replaced the starter, and have tried evey combination of shims i can think of. long story short, I ran out of cash, and put it away for the winter early.

In april, I got a replacement nose for the starter, experimentation with shims showed no improvement.

I've checked the spring pins in the distributer drive gear (I was told they can shear, causing timing change which can damage the starter), the flywheel for cracks and warping, and for evey other thing anyone has ever mentioned to me, or that i'd seen posted here.

Now enter the other problem. (please ignore the engine bay.... i'm working on that now )

Warm-up
http://home.cogeco.ca/~hollanr/Engin...igh%20idle.wmv

Regular
http://home.cogeco.ca/~hollanr/Engine%20noise.wmv


As you can hear, it's a loud tapping/metal on metal noise. It seems to be comming from the pass. rear. of the block

It comes and goes (doesn't seem to be rpm dependant)

I first dissasembled the upper valvetrain and pulled the pushrods, everything looked fine, so i reassembled, and took the video's. The starter broke again the next day. I was planning to re-do the engine bay anyway, so I just went ahead and pulled the engine.

I couldn't find any witness marks on the cluch or flywheel, or any of the bolts holding them on, there is no debris in the oilpan, and the fuel pump spring is in good shape (a mechanic at my facility said these can slap if the spring is worn)

I was told there should be a plate between the engine and belhousing. Is this true? The engine and tranny came out of the donor car together and went straight into mine. This plate was not there. Am I the victem of a prior swap?

Short of throwing the engine in the river, I'm out of ideas...
Any input you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks


BTW, I noticed my uncle's 75 (with a mild 383) was getting around 30psi of oil pressure at idle, I'm getting about 9psi at idle, 25psi while driving. Oil pump problems maybe?

 

strange, almost sounds like rattling to me. did you tighten everything to specs?

 

Sounds like something with the flywheel. If it was an auto, I would guess the flywheel was cracked. Maybe loose bolts or something. I'm thinking the trans and bellhousing are coming out. I would put it on stands, and take a stethescope or long screwdriver (put the handle up to your ear) and try and pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from before I tore it apart.

 

Sound is coming from the right rear of the block. I couldn't pinpoint beyond that. (used a screw driver. sound didn't change in volume in that area, but the sound itself changed from a solid impact, to a hollow claking as i moved about in that area)

from in the car, it sounds like a rattling in the trans tunnel

from underneath the car, it sounds like a cow bell ,and seems to be coming from the cat.

The engine is already out.

flywheel and cluch are ok,
no witness marks on any rotating parts.
valvtrain seems solid (dissasembled and reassembled before video)
dist gear is solid
fuel pump flapper spring is still good
no shavings in oil, s
till runs smooth (ignoring the noise) with no loss of power.

 

anyone else have any ideas???

 

bump^^