BstrdC4

I'm hearing a scraping noise, metal on metal somewhere below. Sometimes at idle, most of the time when I shift into first gear. I have an '85 with a Richmond 6 speed.

Also, I learned to drive a standard in this and sometimes reverse gear doesn't work. I'll have to take it out of gear, move the car a smudge, and try again.

DanielRicany

If you heard it at idle I would check to see if something on the front of the engine is hitting one of the accessories.

As for your reverse problem, that's normal.

BstrdC4

It doesn't do it all the time, so next time it decides to do it at idle I'll pop open the hood.

But I did just check, and from what I can tell there's no scrape marks at all. It sounds more like "under me", tranny/driveline area. Wish I had access to a lift.

DanielRicany

Does it sound like a scraping noise, or a rattling noise, or both?

It could be a bad catalytic converter, or a loose heat shield.

BstrdC4

It sounds like a scrape, but it's not cyclical. It's sporadic.

DanielRicany

Well if you're telling me that it's at idle, the only thing spinning at idle other than the accessories I mentioned earlier is the components inside the transmission and engine.

BstrdC4

I'll check the exhaust and such, maybe I can snag a video or sonething. The only thing I can think of in the transmission is a broken finger on the clutch somewhere. But that would be a cyclical noise and happen all the time. Hmm.

tbirdsps

While you are checking things look at the dampner on the front of the engine. If the motor mounts are collapsed it can touch the crossmember and also won't allow you to change the serpentine belt.