Message-ID: <368AA54F.E3AB233A@cell-loc.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 15:12:32 -0700
From: Lyle Pakula <lyle@cell-loc.com>
Organization: Cell-Loc Inc.
X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 [en] (OS/2; I)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Newsgroups: rec.autos.misc
To: sprang@mail.delcoelect.com
Subject: Re: Clacking in engine. Thrown rod?
References: <367FBEF5.6000@mail.delcoelect.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
NNTP-Posting-Host: 207.228.100.130
X-NNTP-Posting-Host: 207.228.100.130
X-Trace: 30 Dec 1998 15:10:10 -0700, 207.228.100.130
Lines: 39
X-NNTP-Posting-Host: 204.50.1.43
Path: news.jprc.com!dca1-feed2.news.digex.net!digex!btnet-peer!btnet!newsfeed.nyu.edu!nntp.cadvision.com!news.cadvision.com!207.228.100.130
Xref: news.jprc.com rec.autos.misc:27811

Lifters can make than noise too.  I have a 305 that would clatter bad on
startup (really noticeable when cold).  I had to rebuild it, and the cause
was a worn out camshaft.  30% of the lobes were round instead of egg shaped.

The car would quiet down whenever an oil change was done (and when oil
additives were added).  Just stick an ear down by the valve covers and rev
it up a bit.  Even with the cam screwed, it still had a lot of power, adn
still got 24 MPG.....



Michael Sprang wrote:

> I just bought a 78 Pontiac Trans AM with the origional 78 400 in it.
> When you turn the car over, there is an immediate and LOUD clacking
> noise from the engine, apparently on the drivers side. The engine runs
> and idles smooth, and throttling it up doesn't cause any spitting or
> sputtering, it remains steady, though the noise speeds up as well. But
> it remains the same, no additional noises or sounds. The question is, is
> there any way to determine if this is a bad bearing, bad rod, or just a
> bent or stuck lifter without tearing the engine apart? Any input would
> be greatly appreciated. Heres a better description of the noise.
>
>  Its more of a clicking than a knock, steady tempo, deffinet rythm, as
> idle speed increases, the sounds frequency increases at the same rate.
> no loss, or only slight loss, of power. engine does not apear to be
> vibrating excessively, no unusual exhaust, no visible oil or antifreeze
> leaks.
>
>  TIA for all replies!
>
>  Mike



--
Lyle Pakula


