BUILD THREAD Project Olds Cool (Recognition!!)

[Texas82GP]

This sucks. No chance it's not the flexplate and the sound is transmitting through the crank?

 

[69hurstolds]

This sucks. No chance it's not the flexplate and the sound is transmitting through the crank?

I briefly thought of that but the only time I ever had a flexplate issue it was a distinct knock from the back of the engine that sounded more like a rod knock. Anything's worth checking out at this point, though. Obviously it's not driveshaft or differential related.

 

[motorheadmike]

Don't do it! Reseach has concluded "LS" is 40% on its way to be "LoSer". Mathematically, there's no way around it. 🙂

Well, wait. LS has been so overplayed it sort of is considered "old school" today. But you have to wait a couple of months. LS swaps are only allowed in the month of "Meh."

View attachment 169238

Thanks, Walter.

 

[Texas82GP]

I briefly thought of that but the only time I ever had a flexplate issue it was a distinct knock from the back of the engine that sounded more like a rod knock. Anything's worth checking out at this point, though. Obviously it's not driveshaft or differential related.

Mr. Sony had a wobbling flex plate that made a shrieking noise. That's the only reason I mentioned it.

 

[69hurstolds]

Mr. Sony had a wobbling flex plate that made a shrieking noise. That's the only reason I mentioned it.

Well, then that is a possibility, then. Luckily it's not a common enough issue where people can instantly pinpoint that.

 

[69hurstolds]

Thanks, Walter.

Hey, no political posts! Oh, sorry, my bad. Thought it was the current occupant. 🙂 It's only Walter. Put whiter hair on him...spittin' image.

 

[Supercharged111]

I wadded up a rod bearing in my Camaro back in 2014. Both halves stacked on the one side and the motor chirped as the crank galled against the rod. I made 2 full dyno pulls like that, came in around 170whp. After rebuild/break-in it made 292whp. If you're feeling froggy you can go lay into it and see if it's down on power.

 

[Rktpwrd]

You're missing your posi lube additive. Didn't whoever rebuild that differential already soak those clutches?

Nope, I’m not actually missing the additive, I just didn’t mention it. I picked up some Frod Racing limited slip additive a while back after researching that it’s supposed to be the best stuff to use.

As for the clutches, I bought the carrier already rebuilt and assembled at least 3 years ago, and I don’t think the seller soaked them when he did it. Hence me doing it now.

@Streetbu , I think he means that varying rpm has no effect on when the noise shows up or goes away if I read it right.

Correct. This. ^^^

Taking off the belts and it's still doing it rules out the water pump. That would have been my next guess.

Is the oil clean and not metalflakey?

Water pump would’ve been my next logical guess too, but it’s not that old either, or the culprit.

Unknown on the oil, I haven’t drained it yet to check. (No oil or filter in my reserves right now, and I kinda need it running to diagnose the noise).

How long has it been since rebuild? Or timing chain replacement? Using a cam button?

This engine was a GM TargetMaster takeout, it’s never been rebuilt. Stock bottom end with new cam, new timing chain, new Vortec cylinder heads, and new valvetrain. “New” being 3 years ago but less than 5000kms on it since.
No on the cam button. Cam is a hydraulic flat tappet and not very radical. I don’t think it needs a thrust button.

I would highly suspect the balancer. If it's stock, is it moving or wobbling at all? How's the crank pulley? Still solid and not wobbly?

It is the stock balancer, it doesn’t appear to be wobbling, and neither does the crank pulley.

 

[Supercharged111]

Drain the oil into a squeaky clean pan. If no flakes, dump it right back in.

 

[Rktpwrd]

So the noise doesn't change with engine rpm?

It’s really tough to say with any certainty, but I’m gonna say no. It doesn’t seem to. It’s hard to say for sure because it comes and goes at random, and becomes difficult to hear once the rpms are raised.

I know audio is hard to capture perfectly but maybe take a video of her running so we can speculate a little.

If you go back a bit Tony, I posted an Instagram link that has a short video of it running. You can hear the sound just as I’m closing the hood. I’ll try and take another one that captures it a bit better.
I don’t believe you need to be on IG to be able to view the pictures and videos. (No one has told me otherwise).

That sound? It's the car telling you it's time for an LS-swap.

Time and a place, and a car for it my friend. I’m not anti-LS, but this car is none of those.

Have you got the engine up to temp lately? How many miles has it seen? Spinning the seal is possible but unlikely. If it was it should be leaking.

It's a late 80's center bolt valve cover SBC correct? Roller/Flat tappet?

Yes, the car has been up to temperature every time I’ve started it. Recently or not. Very low mileage, less than 5000kms for sure, and realistically probably less than 2000.
Agreed on the seal, highly unlikely, and it should be leaking if it was the culprit. (Which it’s not).

The short block is Gen I sbc, 2 piece rear main, pre-‘86 with new GMPP iron Vortec centerbolt heads. New Comp Cams valvetrain with 1.6 ratio roller rockers and valve cover adapters to run old school perimeter bolt valve covers. Hydraulic flat tappet cam.

This sucks. No chance it's not the flexplate and the sound is transmitting through the crank?

I can hear it back there Jared, but it’s more prominent up front at the balancer. I think me hearing it by the transmission is carrying through backwards, and not forwards from the flexplate.