Noise from oil pan?

Pandersen33

Pandersen33

Member
Well i seem to have developed quite the noise that seemd to be coming from the oil pan? The best I can describe is it sounds like some pebbles in the pan and a slapping noise like a frayed belt. Happens in neutral as well as driving, at about 2500rpm. There is no rythm to it like a bad bearing. Doesnt sound like the bearing did when it melted. Motor has been modified with inserts and pressured mains. I wanted to get some ideas before I jump in and pull the pan. This motor was rebuilt about 12k miles ago. Thanks for any advice
 
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At 12K go ahead, it's time to drop the pan and see if everything is within specs. If you have engine pans, two piece pulley or cam gear, maybe it is a rattle, but it will not hurt to check the bearings and lines.
 
I would suggest wiggling everything outside of the engine first, to see if something is loose. Sounds travel all through Model As and are really hard to pinpoint. Next do as Franklin suggests. Dropping the pan is an easy operation, even with engine pans. When you open it up you can quickly determine whether you have a problem in the low end, and what it is if it’s there.
I had an annoying rattle that sounded like it was in the engine, and was ready to open up it up, but before I did that, with some careful detective work I found it was actually a loose radiator support rod.
 
Take a rubber mallet and hit a few things to see if you can make anything go into resonance. Those splash pans can make a lot of noise. Good luck.
 
What about putting it on a lift and running it in neutral while a good mechanic listens and watches from right under it?
 
All great tips above.

Sounds to me like the pulley. Go to HF and pick up a stethoscope and listen around while she is running. (besides it makes you like like a doctor of the garage)

Also, remove the fan belt, start it up and see if that makes a difference.
 
Pandersen33 said:
Well i seem to have developed quite the noise that seemd to be coming from the oil pan? The best I can describe is it sounds like some pebbles in the pan and a slapping noise like a frayed belt. Happens in neutral as well as driving, at about 2500rpm. There is no rythm to it like a bad bearing. Doesnt sound like the bearing did when it melted. Motor has been modified with inserts and pressured mains. I wanted to get some ideas before I jump in and pull the pan. This motor was rebuilt about 12k miles ago. Thanks for any advice
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Remove oil filler tube,flashlight-look to see if baffle is loose with dowel-or take a mirror and look inside.-before taking all apart.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I have called the builder and he has not responded. Could be due to health issues but we’ll see. Removed the belt from the alternator and noise seems to have gonna away. Maybe the alternator bearing is toast? I will take it for a longer drive this afternoon to be sure. I think i’ll drop the pan soon anyway just to have a look inside and check everything out.
 
Pander, Glad you found something. It sounds like you need an alternate alternator. Sorry, couldn't resist it.
 
How does the alternator belt look....may be the belt. Replace that first. at very very worse you would have a spare.
 
If you are laying on your back putting the oil pan back on, I strongly recommend you get the plastic pin guides from Snyders. I think there are four to a set. You screw these pin guides into the block and then from under the car you carefully align the pan, insert the pins into the respective holes in the pan and then push the pan up into place. The pan is held in place buy the pins and perfectly aligned so all you have to do is thread in the pan bolts. Also get the tool that holds the oil pump in place. Do not over tighten this tool. These two tools make the oil pan installation a real pleasure! Ed
 
Pandersen33 said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I have called the builder and he has not responded. Could be due to health issues but we’ll see. Removed the belt from the alternator and noise seems to have gonna away. Maybe the alternator bearing is toast? I will take it for a longer drive this afternoon to be sure. I think i’ll drop the pan soon anyway just to have a look inside and check everything out.
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If the noise went away when you removed the fan belt and your engine isn't leaking, smoking, farting etc... I would not get in any kind of a hurry to pull the pan with only 12,000 miles on it.
 
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