My engine has this very noticeable squeak. I don't think it's a belt. It sounds like it's coming from the front of the crank. Any ideas? If you stand at the side of the car, this squeak competes with the exhaust for loudness. It's going at the frequency of the engine.

 

From what I have heard recently, could be your water pump bearings.

 

Thanks for the idea.
What have you heard lately?

 

You sure it's not your belt or tensioner squeaking? Pull the belt, start it for just a second, and see if it squeaks (please, don't run your engine for 10 minutes, and it overheat, and blame me. )

 

Ah Doward, I can always count on your reply for a good laugh. Which belt would you like me to pull? And don't worry I won't run it for 10 minutes.

 

Just on a few posts someone mentioned a squeak that was not a knocking sound from the engine. I 'think' it was Tomp, but dont hold me to that, who suggested that it might be the water pump. Those are cheap and relitively easy to change, least it was on mine...So Id replace it if you haven't found any other reason for the squeak....better then the water pump seizing up on you and over heating the car sometime.

 

They weren't serpentine in '86?

Sorry, I don't know the exact dates on the switchovers

If it's a V Belt, then remove each belt, one at a time, and see if the squeaking stops. If you remove a belt, and it stops, you've found the problem.

If you remove all the belts, and the squeaking continues, then at least you know you've eliminated one of the 'possible' causes.

 

Sounds logical.

What do you mean by serpentine, and switchovers?

 

Serpintine means one belt was used to replace the 3 conventional V belts.

Switchover is used to mean the year that it switched over from the 3 conventional V belts to the serpintine.