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?
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
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.
If you don't have one already. Buy or borrow a stethoscope find out Exactly were the squeak is coming from.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
^^^^^ 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.