I purchased an 84 Camaro Z28 with a 350Ho swap a little over a year ago and something strange happened the other day. Usually the car will vibrate quite a bit (you can see the speedometer pointer bouncing up and down). I was at a stoplight the other day and had it in first gear at a stop and I started hearing a "rubbing" noise. Wasn't really a grinding; softer than that. It would stop after I'd pop it back into neutral but it kept on doing it for about two minutes. The next day when I started the car there was a noticable difference in the car's vibration and at higher rpms just before shifting, I can hear a knocking noise. Not just one knock but mutiple noises and then it's gone right when I shift. Does it in every gear but haven't heard it in reverse. I was assuming that it was a tranny problem because of the instance on the day before. Any suggestions?

 

ernest, have you found out what the problem was? I'm hearing a similar "rubbing" on my '83 Z28. When I start the car it's kind of loud then fades away. Once I start driving for a few minutes it comes back and stays. Sounds like this rubbing noise is coming from directly under the gear shifter.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

Yeah figured out what it was. Didn't even have anything to do with the tranny...Took it to my mechanic and he told me to use a different oil and to try using a Lucas oil additive once. So far so good, haven't heard anymore noises!

 

What kind of oil were you using before?

Using thicker oil (and lucas oil additive) can HIDE some internal engine problems like rod knock, etc. But it will not fix the problem and it could possibly get worse and you can throw a rod or get a seized engine.

This may not be the case, but i just want to let you know this could happen.