Once again, I am in need of some help. Diagnostics, this time.


Drove the car for the first time since the new VBP suspension upgrade. My steering column had some issues that I had to fix, so today, I FINALLY too her out on her "new legs" maiden voyage.



Which ended up being QUITE short, lol.

Anyway, details.

76 L48, stock motor except summit headers. No exhaust pipes at all, open headers, for now. So it's pretty loud.
VBP grand touring suspension package, with dual mount rear leaf, new upper and lower control arms, tie rods and ends, bilstien shocks, smart struts, etc.
For rubber, I'm using stock wheels with the stock tires off of a 2000 corvette, with spacers.



When I drove it, it made a noise at what seemed like all speeds. It was kind of like....a wind sound, like when it gets high pitched from rushing through something? Or, it could also sound like the tires peeling slightly, but steadily, as I was driving. Either way, it made this sound even at 30mph. I did not hear the sound, however, when I have my foot on the gas, but I think thats because with open headers, you don't really hear much of anything when the foot is on the gas. Also, the sound only came from the driver side, front.


So, thinking it was bad wheel alignment, I got her up to about 45mph, and let go of the wheel. I have to say, for eye balling it, she stayed far straighter, for far longer, than she ever has before. Not to float my own boat, or anything...but it was pretty nice. Also, when I got back, I checked the tires, to see if they were hot, and they were not. They were warm, but not hot, and both front wheels were about equal temp.

Could this be air rushing through the headers, right below me, that I simply didn't hear before because it went into exhaust pipes?


Help?

 

not really sure you can diagnose any noise issue with open headers. now, if you turned the engine off and coasted, it might be a different story.
BTW, open headers is a good way to burn a valve. put pipes on that puppy.

 

Were the wheels part of the swap??? If so check to see if they are hitting on the caliper. Or do a push test....Slight push and check for binding or noise.
Sly

 

 

Do you have directional tires mounted backwards? Air cleaner installed?

 

The tires are mounted in the right direction, and it has a new K and N air filter.


The wheels were not part of the VBP deal, I bought them separate. I have a 2.5 inch adapter in the front, and 3 inch adapter in the rear, to keep the rubber from rubbing the frame, or any other thing. I checked very carefully all around the wheel, to look for things that could rub either the inside of the tire, on the inside of the rim. No such thing exists, and plus, I checked for heat from rubbing. There was none.


As for running the car without pipes, I know it's not such a great idea, but I HAD to get it out and check for gremlins and such, before driving it onto the highway to get to the place that is going to install my pipes. It back fired once or twice, but over all, ran smooth, if a little tricky at start up, keeping it running with no back pressure.









On a positive note, before I noticed the sound, I DID jerk the wheel a few times to the right and left, and WOA, night and day difference.

 

Did you check the parking brake hardware?
Just guessin' here!

 

Can we politics off this site please.

 

Who??? What??? When??? Where??? Why???

 

??????????????????????????

 

Funny story.



I bought a complete parking break rebuild kit form zip about......a year or so ago. Put it all together.



And the parking break STILL doesn't really work.


Not really.


So it can't be that.


However, something I HAVE noticed.


I have a LOT of camber on the rear wheels. I can't believe I didn't notice that before, but I didn't see it till I pulled in behind it in my DD. It must have worked itself out a bit from the driving, as I never would have gone onto the road with my rear wheels tilted that much.


Could THAT make some noise?

 

Once you set the camber it should remain as you set it. If you think it worked itself out something is wrong and loose. Reset it and tighten everything up. The sound could be coming from parts of your suspension rubbing on something else like your tires.