I have a grinding sort of rattle noise when I accelerate in a forward direction. It is not there in reverse. I've checked the transmission mounts, engine mounts, U-joints, tire clearence. This is a 1986 Camaro V6, 5-peed car.

I spent some time under the car today trying to find some evidence. I believe what is happening is that the exhaust downpipe on the passenger side is scraping against the front suspension mount that sticks into the engine compartment. There is just the slightest bit of clearence there and some signs of scratching on the downpipe.

Is this common? Why is that pipe so close to the suspension mount? The head pipe assembly looks factory but maybe not. Any insights on what could have cause this near zero clearence situation? Any insights on how to cure this?

I didn't even notice it until I replaced the blown out muffler. Maybe once I get a radio installed I can turn it up and not notice it again.

Frank

 

First, let me compliment ya on some decent rides for Wine Country.
The Sunbeam sounds like a fun Go-Kart!
Next
Explaining the exhaust is kinda fruitless, due to factory costs verses fitment verses lose of performance due to restrictive design.
That said,
It sounds like it got tweeked once or even better, some POS (Previous Owner Syndrome) used that pipe as a point for placing the floor lift/floor jack to lift car.
That last point happens all too frequent.

 

Why Thankee! The Tiger is at the very end of a 12-1/2 year restoration sojurn so I can't verify your comment but I sure hope so. I just took the rear end out to be fit for 3:31 gears and a posi unit (gee, maybe my sig should say Sunbeam Tiger 331/3:31!). This is the last step! When that's done I put on the mufflers, hook up and charge the brakes and then it's show time!

Hmmm... that seems consistant with the 1-1/2" deep dent in the bottom of the oil pan.

Sigh...

Frank

 

PS I've seen (magazines) with MGB & Buick/Olds aluminum engines in them.
Which is same engine now under "Rover" hoods.

Yeah, those "lifting points" happen all too often. Passenger side/exhaust/CC area is most difficult to "access" unless lift operator gets on hands & knees to make sure it's "Raising Point" is for corrrect placement.

 

I started a Aluminum 215CID swap on a '73 MGB roadster once upon a time. I had a kit from a guy up north of here and a TR8 FI motor. I rebuilt the motor and then life got in the way. I got married and bought a house and the "B" project had to go. That's how I happened to choose the Tiger once there was time in my life for cars again. The little British car with a V8 bug dies hard once you get it in you.

Some pics here...

http://home.comcast.net/~itswonderful/mgb.htm


Frank