5.7 Liter Whining Engine
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: YAKIMA WASHINGTON
5.7 Liter Whining Engine
I just purchased an '81 vette with a 5.7 liter engine that the previous owner built himself. The engine has a loud whining sound, almost sounds like a power steering pump low on fluid. The previous owner said that it sounds like that because it is 'gear driven'...is this right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Could be, i've heard that the gear drive of the cam makes a whining noise. If you don't like it, drop the oil pan, remove the timing cover and replace it. Make sure you've got the markings right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
That is exactly what it sounds like with a gear driven cam vs the stock setup of 2 gears and a chain. No real advantage, it is only a sound that you will either love or grow tired of in short order.
I used to have a Pete Jackson gear drive and it went away when I sold the engine to another guy. I do not miss it.
-Mark.
I used to have a Pete Jackson gear drive and it went away when I sold the engine to another guy. I do not miss it.
-Mark.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
gear drives are notoriously loud.
click here for video
It's usually a beginners mistake to install one (the builder thinks the race design will make his car killer on the street)
however, changing it to a more normal double roller timing chain setup is usually less than $200 and a lazy weekend effort.
click here for video
It's usually a beginners mistake to install one (the builder thinks the race design will make his car killer on the street)
however, changing it to a more normal double roller timing chain setup is usually less than $200 and a lazy weekend effort.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
gear drives are notoriously loud.
click here for video
It's usually a beginners mistake to install one (the builder thinks the race design will make his car killer on the street)
however, changing it to a more normal double roller timing chain setup is usually less than $200 and a lazy weekend effort.
click here for video
It's usually a beginners mistake to install one (the builder thinks the race design will make his car killer on the street)
however, changing it to a more normal double roller timing chain setup is usually less than $200 and a lazy weekend effort.
unless it's got a BIG cam/ you twist it hard all the time ... even a replacement type tc set will last for many many years. Don't be surprised when some savvy gearheads rolleyes at gd whine in a streetable car. GD's tough on front lower main bearing shell & cap.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis
I would replace the timing gear drive with a double roller chain. The whine in the gear drive is caused by the mating of two metallic surfaces (the gears) which translates into wearing metal and friction. In anything other than a full race application, this is a waste.
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