More C2 Engine Woes

[Richard H.]

First of all, thank you all for your contributions to my question from yesterday. As it stands, the screeching sound is still coming from the new engine (intermittently).

I have checked the TO bearing, the flywheel and the bellhousing and am not finding any malfunction. I didn't want to let this thread stop as I still need much help.

Has anyone experienced the problem of this high pitch screeching when installing a new engine. As I stated before, you can really hear this when you lie on your back underneath the engine itself. The sound is not apparent when first starting the car, but begins a few moments after the car is running. It is not a constant sound, but comes and goes. Pressing on the clutch does not have any impact on the sound. I am hoping there is some reason for this besides a problem with the engine itself. It was built by Ron Bockerman who is very reputable. I am in a panic!

Again, thank you all for any help you can provide to me.

Deb

[Duke W.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Back in the mid sixties half of the spring clip that holds the clutch
release bearing to the clutch fork broke off and fell down to the bottom
of the clutch housing where the flywheel ring gear impinged on it - made
a hell of a screeching noise. I was able to fish the piece out after removing the front inspection cover, and everything was normal. I replaced the fork
about two years later when I did a clutch replacement.

Your noise is probably no where near as severe from your explanation, but
is it possible that the flywheel is rubbing on something?

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Back in the mid sixties half of the spring clip that holds the clutch
release bearing to the clutch fork broke off and fell down to the bottom
of the clutch housing where the flywheel ring gear impinged on it - made
a hell of a screeching noise. I was able to fish the piece out after removing the front inspection cover, and everything was normal. I replaced the fork
about two years later when I did a clutch replacement.

Your noise is probably no where near as severe from your explanation, but
is it possible that the flywheel is rubbing on something?

Duke

[Rob M.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

A couple of thoughts.
If the noise starts after a few minutes of running, then it suggests that the source may be heat related. Something heats up, expands and starts making noise. Is the scenario the same with a cold start and warm start?

Have you removed all the belts and tried it. That would eliminate the water pump, and alternator plus other accessories. It also eliminates some of the background noise.

Finding the source can be further complicated by the fact that cast iron is a good carrier of noise. It may be coming from another area and just be easier to hear under the car. There may be less background noise under the car (see paragraph above). An old trick is to use a long screwdriver as a stethoscope. Just put the metal end against various parts of the engine and the plastic end close to your ear.

Good luck,
Rob

[Rob M.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

A couple of thoughts.
If the noise starts after a few minutes of running, then it suggests that the source may be heat related. Something heats up, expands and starts making noise. Is the scenario the same with a cold start and warm start?

Have you removed all the belts and tried it. That would eliminate the water pump, and alternator plus other accessories. It also eliminates some of the background noise.

Finding the source can be further complicated by the fact that cast iron is a good carrier of noise. It may be coming from another area and just be easier to hear under the car. There may be less background noise under the car (see paragraph above). An old trick is to use a long screwdriver as a stethoscope. Just put the metal end against various parts of the engine and the plastic end close to your ear.

Good luck,
Rob

[Mark F.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

A few years ago, I was in a hurry and improperly installed the clutch release bearing onto the clutch fork in my '64 Chevelle. As Joe says, it is not an intuitive installation. In fact, when the bearing is installed correctly, it looks wrong. Responding to my panic, a friend suggested pulling the clutch fork rubber cover (where it fits into the bellhousing) back and looking inside with a flashlight. (Might be difficult to do on a Corvette, but I was able to on the Chevelle.) Sure enough, that was it. Good luck, I think everyone's been where you are right now at some point in their lives. Mark

[Mark F.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

A few years ago, I was in a hurry and improperly installed the clutch release bearing onto the clutch fork in my '64 Chevelle. As Joe says, it is not an intuitive installation. In fact, when the bearing is installed correctly, it looks wrong. Responding to my panic, a friend suggested pulling the clutch fork rubber cover (where it fits into the bellhousing) back and looking inside with a flashlight. (Might be difficult to do on a Corvette, but I was able to on the Chevelle.) Sure enough, that was it. Good luck, I think everyone's been where you are right now at some point in their lives. Mark

[Richard H.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Duke:

I did check this but I will check it again. Could have overlooked something. I certainly hope you are correct.

Thanks for your help.

Deb

[Richard H.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Duke:

I did check this but I will check it again. Could have overlooked something. I certainly hope you are correct.

Thanks for your help.

Deb

[Elko P.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Maybe I'm way off base here, but maybe your starter is not correctly shimmed.

[Elko P.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Maybe I'm way off base here, but maybe your starter is not correctly shimmed.

[Clem Z.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

did you check to make sure that the starter is not stuck to the fly wheel?

[Clem Z.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

did you check to make sure that the starter is not stuck to the fly wheel?

[Jack H.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Being able to localize the source of the noise is a key here. Might be water pump bearing, might be alternator bearing, might be belts slipping/wearing in, the list goes on.... Even with a mechanic's stethoscope, some of these noise sources can be toughies to hunt and pinpoint due to the way transmitted acoustics can travel via conducted paths with ressonance points. BUT, getting a high confidence level as to the source of the noise should be your first concentration otherwise you're shooting from the 'hip' and since we can't be there to look over your shoulder & listen with/for you, about all we can do is give best effort inputs. BTW, mechanics stethoscope start around $10 for the el cheapo jobbies (expect ear discomfort from the fit, but good enough for the once in a while task)....

[Jack H.]

Re: More C2 Engine Woes

Being able to localize the source of the noise is a key here. Might be water pump bearing, might be alternator bearing, might be belts slipping/wearing in, the list goes on.... Even with a mechanic's stethoscope, some of these noise sources can be toughies to hunt and pinpoint due to the way transmitted acoustics can travel via conducted paths with ressonance points. BUT, getting a high confidence level as to the source of the noise should be your first concentration otherwise you're shooting from the 'hip' and since we can't be there to look over your shoulder & listen with/for you, about all we can do is give best effort inputs. BTW, mechanics stethoscope start around $10 for the el cheapo jobbies (expect ear discomfort from the fit, but good enough for the once in a while task)....