I've got a weird high pitched noise that comes from unde the hood "sometimes" when I accelerate in my 55 (322). It's hard to pin point exactly where it's coming from. At first I checked the belts, they look fine. Maybe the generator (can't really tell if it's it) or maybe I thought something in the carb (can't really tell either). What I do know is that if I continue to accelerate while it's making this noise the lights dim on my dash so I figure it's got something to do with the electrical which leads me to believe it may have something to do with the generator. It's sorta a loud screaching sound. Anyone have a clue what it may be? Voltage regulator is new and so is the little square relay that is almost next to the voltage regulator (although not an exact replacement, but the dude at Autozone said that it would work...which I guess it has for the time being, every now and then when I start banging on something in the car I get a clicking noise start coming from under the hood so I think that is that little relay box that's wacked out. The problem with the loud screaching sound I don't think is related to this relay box being wacked out though because I replaced that box a while back and this noise has just recently started. o No:
By the sound of things here (no pun intended ) :laugh: I'd take the generator to a "good" rebuilder and have them go thru it and see if that helps . With lights dimming and .... I'd start there . :Smarty: Good Luck ! :laugh: :TU:
A water pump or say the bearing on an idler pulley can make that noise too. I have a pair of sethoscopes I use to isolate such problems. You can also do it with a broom handle by putting your ear to the one end and the the other where the noise may be originating. Be careful not to get into the fan blades when checking the water pump.
Before I did anything else I'd spray some "belt dressing" on the belts with the motor running. It saved me $400 on my BMW. Just a thought Good Luck
Carb You might want to check your vacuum lines for leaks. Buick engines create alot of vacuum. If you have a cracks in your vacuum lines it can squeal. Mostly if you have the dual snorckel set up. I had the same problem a couple of years ago. Hope this helps. Sparkplug
Underhood screech TUFBUICK, you are too funny. I agree with 70GSRICK. A screech would indicate a slipping belt.Nothing sounds like that noise. A pully has a metalic sound and water pump bearings sound like something is loose in the pump.A vacuum leak makes a whistle or sissssshing sound.
I'm starting to think it's the solenoid on the starter or something to do with the starer, it only makes the screeching sound when I give it gas real quick and when it makes that noise my headlighs lights and dash lights sorta dim for a few seconds. Belts look fine, and when the car is running I've looked and listened over the generator and it doesn't make any noise. I've let it sit for awhile since I need to replace the front bearings (left one is pretty much shot), the battery is dead and needs charging (in the mean time to get my fix for classic car's I've been driving my 41 Chevy Master Deluxe, even went and got it registered and plates for it finally and is my daily driver since my gf's neon I've been driving took a crap on me). But when it's trying to start it makes that god awful sound again until it gets running, that's why I think it has something to do with the starter....another sound it made that I just remembered is a whinning sound but nothing else when trying to start....maybe the starter gear is sticking or something or the starter is just starting to get shot too........mystery...suspence....drama...!!! :rant:
It definately could be the starter bendex staying engaged. This makes a helacious sound and could possibly cause the lights to dim out. I would remove the fan belt and start the engine and give it some gas. If the sound is still there it cannot be the generator. If the noise goes away it probably is not the starter. The generator only uses a bearing in front. I has a brass/oilite bushing in the rear and can be easily damaged from too much belt tension. (trust me, I found out the hard way-twice :dou: ). Did you jump the regulator to set up the poles when you replaced it? This can lead to problems if you did not. Start there and keep us posted.