Recently I dropped a new crate engine in my 80 Vette. It runs beautifully. After a little while though I started to get a noise that sounded like a belt squeaking. Long story short I removed all 3 belts and drove it. It still squeaked exactly as before. So it's not a belt or bearings on the air, power steering or water pump.

The symptoms: Cold it doesn't squeak. For a few minutes anyway. When it is warn, at about 30mph it starts to squeak. If I give it power it goes away/silent. When I let off the power it starts squeaking again.

If I give it power, then shut off the engine (no matter what speed I am going) the squeak quits, instantly. So I assume its not in the engine.

If I give it power and then put it in neutral and let off the power, it goes silent also.

If I give it power and then let off the power and push in the clutch the squeak continues, but slows down (in revolutions) and sometimes stops completely, but other times it continues to squeak. But say, 10 times per minute instead of 100 times per minute.

It's driving me crazy. One friend said its probably the pilot bearing. Another said the input shaft bearing. Another said the tranny. Any suggestions?

I sense I have to remove the tranny no matter what. Is there anything I should look for in addition to the pilot and throw out bearings being bad?

Thanks folks, I really really appreciate any insights or help you might offer here.

Larry

 

Larry,

I assume you meant to say, in response to your test, above, that you assume it IS the engine--correct? (Or am I misreading something?)

I don't have any answers, but I do have a possible avenue to explore, further. I would concentrate on all aspects of how the clutch might change the noise (pushed in, released fully, partially, etc...). I'm wondering if it could be related to your throw-out bearing. (And that's not based on the test I quoted above, but from other diagnostic attempts you described).

But rest assured that better minds, with more experience, are on their way.

Good luck.

 

Throw out bearing.....

 

Been there, done that. Besides having your pcv valve connected in the valve cover on one side, the other side has 2 ports - one going to the air cleaner and the other to one of these breathers:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-141-616/overview/

 

Did you find out what the problem is (was)?

 

Thanks for the input. You are correct, lol, it must have something to do with the engine! What I am thinking is it must have something to do with the clutch/transmission bearings etc.

My friend just pulled the tranny but is having a heck of a time trying to get the front bearing out of it to replace. Today he's going to try to bang it out through the back instead of the front? I don't know about that. Makes me nervous. Lol.

 

Search forum. If you are talking about pilot bearing I believe you can fill it full of grease the drive a dowel the same width as the snout to cause pressure buildup and literally pop it out. But again search forum for validation of what I said. And clarification of my verbal run-on.

 

thanks. I'm not sure what I'm talking about, lol, which is of course the bigger problem. I appreciate the tip though.

This bearing I believe is the front or input bearing of the tranny. It's in the very front. We tried pounding it outward (toward the front) but it doesn't want to cooperate. I can't imagine it going out through the back (toward all the gears) but maybe it does? I might have to give up and take it to a tranny shop and hope the owners/mechs there are honest.

 

I can't say re: a 'Vette, but using the pressure of compressed grease, as described above, is exactly how I got the pilot bearing out on my F-100. I didn't think it was going to work, but it worked like a charm.

I forget if you said: did he try the "grease method"? (There's a youtube video on it, but I didn't post it because, at a quick glance, although it worked, the guy's technique seemed a little odd, IMO).

Your "friend" is making me very nervous, as well. Until someone with Chevy/'Vette tranny expertise shows up to say otherwise, I can't even imagine what he was "banging on" to get it out from the front--let alone the rear.

I would (seriously) thank him, tell him you need a few days off, and regroup and investigate further.
(And if I'm wrong, I will be happy to be corrected. I'd rather have a member be safe than sorry--even if I have to expose my ignorance, to do it.)

Just my 02.

 

Thanks Mid. I know you are correct about my 'well meaning' friend. I just have a hard time finding the heart to tell him his approach is scaring me. I mean the tranny (inside) looks excellent and I hate to have to buy a new one because the 'bearing' hole is smashed out of shape. And it may be too late now. The bearing is about 1/4 out, but according to him its coming out the wrong side, i.e. the front instead of the back. Pulling out (and apart) the whole tranny to remove that front bearing seems like overkill to me, but I am ignorant about it.

So, do you know (or anyone you know, know) if the bearing in the very front of the tranny is supposed to come out thru the front (toward the clutch) or out the back? (toward the gears)? And correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the pilot bearing a different bearing altogether? (more to the front of the car, in fact in front of the throw out bearing?, by a couple of inches).

If mechanical ignorance were riches, I would be the Donald Trump of motors.

On the other hand, if Corvettes were Kings of the road, I would have my own little kingdom. Lol. Thanks for your input. I appreciate that.

Larry