help with clicking diagnosis

I wasn't quite sure where to post this question, so I thought I'd start here. The wagon (1970 Estate, 455) started making a noise about a week ago, and I'm having some trouble finding the source. I thought someone here might have some ideas.

Here's what I know about the noise:

• the noise is a clicking sound
• the noise is intermittent: some trips it doesn't start at all, but once it starts on any given trip it doesn't stop
• if the noise starts, it starts when the engine is warm, usually at 60+mph
• the clicking speeds up/slows down with the gas pedal. this is true whether the car is in drive or neutral
• sound seems to be coming from the front right of the engine.

Here's what I have checked so far:

• I have revved the engine in neutral. The clicking accelerated just as it did when I was on the freeway.
• Checked the fan for wobble. It doesn't have excessive lateral play.
• Checked the belts. No visible deterioration, tension is good.
• I don't have a stethoscope, but I used a dowel to listen to the A/C compressor and alternator. Didn't hear anything remarkable.

So there you go. Be glad for any thoughts. What else should I check (or re-check)?

Thanks,
Matt

 

I would change the oil with 10w40 with zddp additive it could one of 16 little soldiers fighting to keep his pressure from dropping while he pushes that rod all day

 

Use a 2-3 foot pipe, hose, or tubing to listen for noise. Move it along the exhaust gaskets, valve covers, external moving parts, etc. Remove the oil filler cap, valve cover vent tube, pcv valve, and put tube part way inside the engine.
The tubular device really picks up noise when you approach the right spot.

 

Oh, just remembered, the pin that holds the lever that lifts the rear metering rods of my qjet, worked its way loose and fell into the intake and caused a clicking noise. Anyway, it eventually cleared up on it's own, but left its mark on a piston. It probably exited an exhaust port at about 5800 rpm. Found the evidence years later during a refresh of rings and bearings.
Any object on a piston can move around, come and go.
Years ago a young fellow "overhauled" his engine and it knocked like a rod on startup. I noticed it came from the passenger side. Everyone was saying "you phucked up"! Because of its noise location, I told him to just take that head off and look into the bores for a "washer" or other small object. Next day he ran toward me holding up a washer between his fingers. No harm done. He was one happy guy.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...sometimes a tube works better than a stethoscope to locate problems.

 

Thanks Jason, Bill, and Gary for the ideas. I'll do some more poking around and get back with you. It may not be fast though, since there are two toddlers and a full-blown remodel to contend with as well. :grin: