bad noises...

[S10xGN]

Hi All,

My son's MCSS (383" with a T-350 and 10" TCI converter) is making a "death rattle" noise from the rear of the block area. There is a fine paste that looks like aluminum and oil all over the inside of the bellhousing. The bellhousing is tight to the block and the converter bolts are tight. We were under it looking up and a LOT the converter snout of is exposed, maybe 3/4" of an inch! For another example, I looked under mine today and there is about 1/8" exposed. Also the flexplate looks, well, FLEXED! Unless it's an illusion, it appears to be pushed forward around the outer edge. The driveshaft seems to have a lot of slop too, especially at the tailshaft.

His car is quiet until around 1800 RPM, then a loud clacking until around 3000 or so. Oddly, if you are deep into the throttle there is no noise at all. Only under light loads...

ANY IDEAS?

 

[A. G. Olphart]

Sounds like you've diagnosed your own problem... a broken flex plate. When the engine is not pulling strongly, the broken edges will rub against each other, making noise and shiny paste. With a load, the broken edges are forced firmly together to transfer the power, and like magic, the noise goes away!

Loose tailshaft bushing sound unrelated.

Not an expert, but I would park until repaired. The ears on the front pump may already be beyond hope.

 

[S10xGN]

We'll get it up again this weekend and look a little closer. Thanks for your insight.

 

[ajt86]

do yourself a favor and park it- i had the same noise- then it got quieter and went away- a month late- the pump exploded and took my convertor down with it- cost me 600$ considering i coulda got a flexplate for 50$