Hi,

Before I ask my question I'll make it clear I searched the thread boards and found a few that are close but are not what I am experiencing. I know the rules about a noob asking a frequent question. I have been on here for a decade and know better than to risk Camaro help shame :-).

That said, here is the car's background:

1986 Camaro IROC-Z LG4 stock engine except for rebuilt carb, 5-speed manual with less than 1000 miles on the clutch. 55k original miles. Car had been sitting all winter and was not able to take a charge from my external charger. There is a full tank of gas with seafoam. I finally fixed the electrical problem today by replacing the negative terminal bolt which was fairly stripped. With a new battery the car started immediately and ran as healthy and strong as she has in years. No discolored exhaust (e.g. blue from oil in cylinders).

She is my fun car and NOT a daily driver.

The Problem:

While running I could hear a faint ticking, not loud. It does NOT increase with engine speed. It was very fast, like a stopwatch on fast forward. Too many ticks to count.

Other diagnostic information:

I noticed the power steering belt (V-belts) was semi loose and looking worn. I already have new belts and will be replacing all of them shortly.

Sometimes when I press the clutch petal to the firewall the noise stops. But not always.

It sounds mechanical, like a pump failing and NOT the put-put of an exhaust leak.

This is NOT the ticking the carb makes with the key in "run". That noise is still there and sounds like it always has. This is much fainter with a much higher frequency.

My "plan":

I will be running the car with each belt off to see if the tapping disappears when I remove one of the accessories.

Will get an oil change and will check oil levels first including looking for any metal flakes in the dipstick (no leaks on my driveway).

Once it gets dark, I'll run her and look for any sparking from the distributor or the leads.



Other than oil change, new belts, checking my accessories for failing bearings, and checking the ignition system where else do you think I could check? Is there a way to check the water pumps performance other than driving and seeing if she overheats?

Any thoughts?

 

If it doesn't increase with engine speed it's nothing that spins with the engine.

I'm a genius, right? Sometimes the basic stuff trips us up.

Being in S. Jersey it's plenty cold to run the engine for a minute or two with the belts off, if you need to satisfy yourself. (I live on the PA/DE line not far from you, so I know it's not spring-like weather just yet)

 

Might be a lifter. It might be pumping up when you rev the motor because oil pressure is raising. Take a screw driver and press is to each valve cover on at a time and put your ear to the screw driver handle to listen to see if the tick is on one side of the motor or the other. If one side is ticking do a valve adjustment. Probably a good idea to do one anyways along with the normal fluid changes and a tune up.