Ktholin

Ever since I completed the restoration on my 55 a few years ago, I have been taking it in on ever-widening drives from my house. I am running a 283 with a Borg Warner T-10.

I notice that when I cruise at 50 mph there is a noticeable whine that I believe is coming from the transmission. Once I get above 60, the whine diminishes. If I let off of the accelerator or push in the clutch at 50, the whine disappears. Going through the gears to 45 mph the gear sounds normal, but in the 50 mph range, it seems to me to be excessive. I did have the transmission rebuilt when during the restoration. Any ideas or suggestions?

GTOguy

Doubtful it is the transmission, that is if you are in high gear and not 3rd. More likely, the rear end telegraphing the noise up the driveshaft. You need to get hold of an auto-ear to pinpoint the source. (electronic stethoscope) Probably a ring and pinion noise.

1955 copper

Have your transmission guy check it out again, cant be the rear end if you push the clutch in and the noise goes away could be the throughout bearing GL

GTOguy

Respectfully, the ring and pinion gears don't stop rotating when you push the clutch in. As long as the rear wheels are rotating, the ring and pinion gears are too.

Frankie the Fink

I'll just say that it took me a while before I got used to the mechanical noises in my 63 coupe....being enclosed in fiberglass over top of all the whirring machinery makes some noise perfectly normal...

vettsplit 63

That is true, but I can remember having gear whine only in that 'sweet spot' in between acceleration and deceleration, Coast I guess.

Ktholin

Yeah, I know some gear noise is normal, but this rises above that, and its strange that its only within a certain speed range.

tbarb

This does not speak to the point about pushing the clutch in but could you be hearing a front wheel bearing, if you steer quick left or right does the noise stop.

DansYellow66

Second or third this. My GTX rear with #&!! Richmond Gears whines in a sweet spot between power on and power off.

Transmission 4th is direct through the transmission so shouldn't be any whine from it. If it is whining in 4th it may not be long for the road.

Ktholin

I haven't noticed that it stops when I turn (I try not to turn quickly at 50 mph!

Ktholin

I'm wondering if it could be the rear end instead.

SDVette

My car was parked for 35 years.
When I got it running, there was a noticeable whine from the transmission on the first few test drives.
I quickly drained/flushed the trans and diff fluids..
It was not immediate, but the whine disappeared after a few hundred miles.

So I gotta ask the basic question.. are you sure the fluids are full, fresh and correct?

Ktholin

Yep, I have fresh fluids in both transmission and rear end.

GTOguy

Ring and pinion whine can be on acceleration, deceleration, or cruise, depending on where the pinion depth is set at and the amount of lash. A perfectly set-up rear end will be quiet under all 3 driving modes.

cv67

Aftermarket or worn oem can do this, mines set perfectly and gets a little around 30. I pay no attention to it at all. Is your pinion seal leaky?

We get spoiled by these new cars that are dead silent all the time, many older stock cars made plenty of noises back then.

Ktholin

No, the pinion seal is not leaking. I understand about the noises of older cars. I don't think a passenger would notice if I didn't point it out to them, however I find it annoying. I have had c1s in my younger years and don't recall it like this.

Donald #31176

I used to have a similar situation like yours. I found out in the late 80s that I needed to shim the trans cross member in order to lower the trans to equate the driveshaft front and back angles..

ejboyd5

Do you experience the same whine around 50 mph in both 4th and 3rd gear?

1955 copper

I agree but then the noise goes away when he pushes pedal in Right? So what stops moving the throw out bearing and the front trans gearing and bearing

GTOguy

The throw out bearing will be spinning with the clutch pushed in, as it will be engaging the clutch cover fingers/diaphragm to disengage the clutch plate. A bad pilot bearing or input shaft (front bearing) would be quiet with the clutch pushed in and noisy when not.