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Author Topic: 1978 pinto engine tap noise  (Read 2214 times)

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Offline ToniJ1960

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1978 pinto engine tap noise
« on: October 25, 2012, 11:03:44 PM »
 My pinto is making a tapping noise, it goes away nearly completely once it warms up. I dont know if its the lifter cam or what. Someone told me it sounds like a wrist pin to him (he wanted to buy my car and may have just been trying to scare me).

 I made some recordings so you can hear it running, and uploaded them. I hope Im not breaking any rules, this hosting site seems ok to me I made sure it was safe. You just have to go the url and then hit download filer and the captcha thing.

http://www.filedropper.com/sunp0061
 
http://www.filedropper.com/sunp0062

 If anyone can tell me if they ever heard this noise or if its possible to get an idea what it is from t he  sound on the recording. I was thinking about trying a software analyzer to see if I can get a look at it if that could show its a wrist pin or not. I heard theyre like a double tapping from when the piston goes up and starts to go down.

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: 1978 pinto engine tap noise
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2012, 08:26:05 AM »
From the recording, it sounds like what mine did with 3 wiped cam lobes. Hard to tell, really, from a recording. Is it louder above or below the motor? That's how I narrowed mine down. Also, when in doubt, pull the valve cover and take a look-see. That REALLY narrowed mine down to the valvetrain.

What motor is that, 2.3?

Offline ToniJ1960

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Re: 1978 pinto engine tap noise
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2012, 11:57:01 AM »
 Its a 2.3 with about 30,000 I guess, since it was rebuilt. The noise goes nearly completely away once it warms up did yours do that too? It is worse when its colder outside and goes away, so maybe its an exhaust leak even. How much do you think someone will charge to take the rocker cover off and look at it? Most of these places try to charge sky high and act as if working on an old car is harder. I always try to have some idea before I call around.

Offline bbobcat75

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Re: 1978 pinto engine tap noise
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2012, 07:32:10 PM »
sounds like it could be a valve sticking. run some lucas oil additive and see if it helps if not then you know that its more then likly not the valves.
does it sound like its on the top of the motor or at the bottom?? if just rebuilt would think also that maybe a vavle needs to be adjusted.
dont know a ton about the 2.3, but on other motors i have worked on these tips have worked.
just my 2 cents
good luck
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1975 ford pinto - drag car - 2.3l w/t5 trans - project car

Offline ToniJ1960

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Re: 1978 pinto engine tap noise
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2012, 09:10:48 PM »
 sorry if I confused anyone it was rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago. Thats more than a few years now since I dont put 5 or 6,000 a year on it. I had other cars over the tears too, but this one stayed with me.

 I dont think the valves are adjustable but I can try that lucas treatment, I heard a few people say good things about Lucas. It gets good mpg though and seems to run fine other that that noise. Would a stuck valve get quiter after it warms up, and not cause more obvious issues?

Offline bbobcat75

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Re: 1978 pinto engine tap noise
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2012, 04:46:07 AM »
Had a new hyndia that the valve stuck till warmed up. Changed the oil n added Lucas n stopped the ticking.


1975 mercury bobcat 2.8 auto
1978 mercury bobcat wagon 2.3l - soon to have a 88 tc drive line - SOLD - 🙁
1975 ford pinto - drag car - 2.3l w/t5 trans - project car