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Hot Rods SBC squeaking motor question? help please

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by ozzies 57, Aug 24, 2018.

  1. ozzies 57
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 370

    ozzies 57
    Member

    SBC 350 motor. went on one of those super slow miserable cruises at hot august nights in Reno, 1 MPH for 1.5 hours. no overheating made it great. then when I got back home I could hear what sounded like a water pump squeak... however I wasn't leaking any fluid and if I hit the accelerator enough it disappears.
    I took both belts off and started the car. still has the squeak. now I am a little more worried. it can't be the alt. or A/C, it isn't the belts, and it can't be the water pump. so who has EXPERIENCE in something like this??? what is the most likely culprit?
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. It is a mouse engine.
     
    Happydaze, pat59, moparjimd60 and 2 others like this.
  3. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Look in the valve covers and see if it's wet.
     
    302GMC likes this.
  4. ozzies 57
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 370

    ozzies 57
    Member

    and if it is not, is it a oil pump issue?
     

  5. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,143

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Does it have roller lifters?
     
    Johnny Gee and lumpy 63 like this.
  6. 24riverview
    Joined: Jan 13, 2008
    Posts: 1,052

    24riverview
    Member

    Balancer moving around on the rubber?
     
  7. oldtom69
    Joined: Dec 6, 2009
    Posts: 583

    oldtom69
    Member
    from grandin nd

    Not good news-had the same "squeak'-blown head gasket between middle two cylinders!mine actually torched a trough in the block,never blew water out or got into the water jacket
     
  8. tinkirk
    Joined: Jan 16, 2017
    Posts: 111

    tinkirk

    Does it go away when bringing the rpm's up?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  9. Dago 88
    Joined: Mar 4, 2006
    Posts: 2,310

    Dago 88
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Check oil Pressure & check valve clearance.
     
  10. shivasdad
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 584

    shivasdad
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Texas

    I rebuilt a 292 Chevy inline that developed a strange squeak. I tracked it down to where I could make it go away by loosening the front rocker arm. More pressure equaled more high pitched squeaking. The guy I was helping decided to leave the front rocker arm at less than optimal adjustment so I never got to the actual problem. Strangest squeak I ever found.
     

  11.  
    slowmotion, pat59 and Moriarity like this.
  12. riv63
    Joined: Feb 2, 2008
    Posts: 149

    riv63
    Member
    from Texas

    Cam bearing?
     
  13. boltupal
    Joined: Dec 27, 2010
    Posts: 293

    boltupal
    Member
    from western ny

    If you don't have one already. Buy or borrow a stethoscope find out Exactly were the squeak is coming from.
     
    blowby likes this.
  14. Worn rocker arm and pivot ball will set up a squeak sometimes, usually if they've been oil-starved. Suppose a push-rod end could do the same thing at the rocker arm socket too.

    Maybe loosen or remove the fuel pump, start it for a few seconds, and see if that changes anything. Also check the engine mounts and give 'em a spray with some silicone lube and see if it quiets down. If it's an automatic check that the convertor bolts are tight, though if they're loose they usually make a tick or knock noise.
     
  15. ozzies 57
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 370

    ozzies 57
    Member

    O.k thinking ill go valve covers off first and look for something in there. It's a 56 chevy so it only has an oil dummy light. So I will run a cheaper gauge to the block and see about oil pressure. I'm going to assume the head gasket or block isnt blown. Runs great and I wouldn't say it is overly loud. Just obnoxious to me. Then I'll check back in.
     
    firstinsteele likes this.
  16. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    Maybe a vacuum leak?
     
  17. bigdog
    Joined: Oct 30, 2002
    Posts: 761

    bigdog
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I had a bad cam bearing squeal, but it didn't go away at higher rpm. First thing I'd do is check under the valve covers.
     
  18. KJSR
    Joined: Mar 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,494

    KJSR
    Member
    from Utah
    1. Utah HAMBers

    Try disconnecting the PCV and see if it goes away.
     
  19. flathead4d
    Joined: Oct 24, 2005
    Posts: 898

    flathead4d
    Member

    Had a squeak on a 70's Chevy. Turned out to be a a push rod not getting any oil at the rocker.
     
  20. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,143

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Back in the mid 70's I built a 355 small block and a brand new Chevy blue stripe pushrod had one end ball that didn't get drilled all the way through, burned it up along with a rocker arm.
     
  21. ozzies 57
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 370

    ozzies 57
    Member

    so wait for it. I tried a couple things today and got frustrated, and I hit the headers with the palm of my hand while using a few choice words as I pushed myself up out of that stooped over stance we all know so well. an there it was the squeak! so I hit them again, the squeak, went to the other side and hit the valve covers and....wait for it, the squeak. so that means it isn't mechanical and I have narrowed it down to 90% sure it must be motor mounts, the engine has a nice little lopping movement to it when idling, not much but its there, obviously it smooths out on acceleration and 2 hour cruise of almost always idling must have either cracked the rubber on one, or else the main bolt is loose, either way I am feeling pretty confident this might be a fairly inexpensive fix. (fingers crossed).
    thanks all for all the info.
     
    swade41 likes this.
  22. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,602

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    ^^^^^ I bet that kept you up nights wondering what was wrong all this time. Myself, I always sleep well after the bed springs go silent. :)
     

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