Hey guys, I have a 1982 Trans Am. I replaced the cam shaft over the winter and after putting it back together I have been noticing an extremely high pitched squeal that seems to be coming from the rear passenger side of the motor. It does this whenever I get above 2000-2500 RPMs or if I fail to baby the throttle. I seem to have all my horsepower on the low end but once I hit 2000 RPMs she plateaus. I have checked everything I could think of, It's not the belts or pulleys for I have driven her a short distance with both belts removed, still squeals. I only have one vacuum line on it and that runs to the transmission and seems to be leak free and works fine. I have done a compression test to see if it could possibly be a head gasket leak but that all checked out. Carrying great oil pressure, does run a tad hot though although the temp gauge reads that it's fine. If you guys have any ideas that would be awesome! Thanks.

Chevy 350, Edelbrock performer EPS intake, Edelbrock 1406 600 CFM carb, TH350 trans

 

Sounds like a plugged-up cat.

 

That's the last thing I was thinking that I haven't looked into yet. Is there a way to check that with out pulling the converter off?

 

not really no

 

Use an automotive sethiscope to try and locate the source. They cost around $10 at harbor freight.
Reads like an exhaust leak.
Good luck.

 

Clogged Cat. Years ago, Wifes 5spd 85 TA HO would not go over 45mph. Cherry red cat. Replaced Cat AND... the squealing noise all was good for a day. Then changed clogged muffler.

 

I'm suspicious of your cat also. Unless you live in a state that does smog inspections, remove it, and replace it with a pipe, or gut it, and put it back in place. If you feel you need to contribute to a clean environment, or need a converter, then get a high flow one. I am cat delete, so I don't have to worry about it where I live.

 

Killer, thanks guys it's definitely the cat. I'll just build a cheap exhaust system to the y-pipe for now until I do the dual straights next year which was already the plan

 

That's coincidental. I also noticed a gradually increasing high-pitched squeal, and a loss of power. It was about 8 years after I got married, but it had nothing to do with cats (although she did have two of them at the time). It was about the same time I suddenly noticed that my 1970s car somehow had a passenger side air bag. It took another 20+ years to repair that condition.

But that's a completely different problem, I suspect.

 

I had the same problem so I got rid of the air bag

 

I've seen cars that are only driven short distances and that never get hot build up condensation in the exhaust, causing problems like this.

If it's an old exhaust maybe drill some holes at low points and see what comes out.