Current Classifieds

1972 Runabout 351 Cleveland V8

Date: 11/05/2016 09:03 pm
74 pinto
Date: 09/11/2016 06:32 pm
Wanted instrument cluster lens for 74
Date: 04/30/2023 04:31 pm
Tire needed p185/80r13
Date: 12/31/2017 09:08 pm
Pinto wagon Parts
Date: 06/23/2021 03:25 pm
1974 Pinto Right Rear Interior Trim Panel

Date: 02/18/2017 04:44 pm
Clutch Cable Needed
Date: 04/03/2017 11:03 pm
1971 Pinto Parting out

Date: 07/06/2018 01:11 pm
Free ford C3 transmission in 95695..
Date: 06/07/2021 08:14 pm
Need lower control arms for 1973 pinto
Date: 02/27/2017 10:10 pm
Looking for a 1977 Ford Pinto Runabout Hatchback
Date: 04/27/2018 10:28 pm
1972 pinto grill
Date: 02/27/2018 12:13 am

Author Topic: 1978 pinto engine tap noise  (Read 2225 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline ToniJ1960

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
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

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 405
  • FeedBack: +83/-6
  • Gender: Male
  • Restoring a Daily Driver

  • Total Badges: 4
    Badges: (View All)
    Fifth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Windows User
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

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
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

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1032
  • FeedBack: +71/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 9
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter 1000 Posts Apple User Mobile User Windows User Fifth year Anniversary
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
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

Offline ToniJ1960

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • FeedBack: +13/-0
  • Gender: Female
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary Windows User
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

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1032
  • FeedBack: +71/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 9
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter 1000 Posts Apple User Mobile User Windows User Fifth year Anniversary
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