Annoying ticking sound while driving.

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salami340

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Hey all, I wasn't sure if I should put this in the Engine forum because I'm not quite sure if it is the engine making this sound (Or trans). It is a 1971 Demon with a 340 and 4 speed (Non Numbers engine and trans). I don't know a whole lot about the engine and trans build other than they were rebuilt about 10 years ago to stock specs.

I have this ticking sound that has been bothering me that I've been trying to track down. While accelerating at around 2k to 3k RPM I can hear this rapid ticking. It stops when I let off the gas and starts again as soon as I hit it. It also stops if I give it half throttle and bring it up above 3k RPM. I don't hear it sitting still regardless of the RPM. I even went as far as bring it up to 3000 rpm on a lift in gear and didn't hear it.

Initially I thought it was something behind the dash or floor rattling but I think I've pretty much eliminated everything it could be including disconnecting the speedometer cable. So now I am leaning towards engine or trans. Below is a link to a sound clip that I recorded while driving (It should play in your browser). At about 30 seconds and 50 seconds you can hear it pretty good. I'm hoping someone will have an idea what this could be because it is really bothering me.

 
Do you have a shroud?

Is it possible that your engine mounts are bad and the engine is shifting under certain conditions and the fan is grazing the shroud?

If it is an automatic the flex plate could be cracked?
 
AJ/FormS said:
I've heard that a time or two; but I can't remember it. Lemmee think on it.
Can you feel it on the shifter?
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Cool thanks, let me know if you think of anything. I don't recall feeling anything in the shifter but I'll go for a drive tomorrow and see.
 
Check your driveshaft for possible interference. Maybe a weight is hitting the exhaust under acceleration ? Which tou might not hear in lower gears due to engine roar?
Stab in the dark
 
Dana67Dart said:
Do you have a shroud?

Is it possible that your engine mounts are bad and the engine is shifting under certain conditions and the fan is grazing the shroud?

If it is an automatic the flex plate could be cracked?
Click to expand...
Funny, my dad was actually telling me it could be the fan. That could make sense. I'll have to get under there and see what I can find. The engine mounts looked brand new but I will take another look. It's a manual so don't need to worry about the flex plate.
 
A bit tricky to do with a manual but if you can safely load up the engine with the hood up you might be able to see the engine rock.

Also look at the blade tips and the inside of the shroud for signs of contact.

Another thought is if the thrust bearing is going maybe the crank is moving and hitting something.

But as my dad always said...

KISS (keep it simple stupid)

look for the low hanging fruit first
 
electric fuel pump?
 
mbaird said:
Check your driveshaft for possible interference. Maybe a weight is hitting the exhaust under acceleration ? Which tou might not hear in lower gears due to engine roar?
Stab in the dark
Click to expand...
Hmm, that could be possible I'll check it out when I'm under there tomorrow
 
Sounds like it occurs in one gear. While bumping around underneath with a rubber mallet or a block of wood, look for slop in the shifter and links when in that gear.
 
Lucky you. The only noises I hear while driving g is my wife chipping at me for hours.

I think I’ll take your problem any day as I haven’t learned how to get my noise maker to stop.

Hopefully you get yours figured out.
 
salami340 said:
Hey all, I wasn't sure if I should put this in the Engine forum because I'm not quite sure if it is the engine making this sound (Or trans). It is a 1971 Demon with a 340 and 4 speed (Non Numbers engine and trans). I don't know a whole lot about the engine and trans build other than they were rebuilt about 10 years ago to stock specs.

I have this ticking sound that has been bothering me that I've been trying to track down. While accelerating at around 2k to 3k RPM I can hear this rapid ticking. It stops when I let off the gas and starts again as soon as I hit it. It also stops if I give it half throttle and bring it up above 3k RPM. I don't hear it sitting still regardless of the RPM. I even went as far as bring it up to 3000 rpm on a lift in gear and didn't hear it.

Initially I thought it was something behind the dash or floor rattling but I think I've pretty much eliminated everything it could be including disconnecting the speedometer cable. So now I am leaning towards engine or trans. Below is a link to a sound clip that I recorded while driving (It should play in your browser). At about 30 seconds and 50 seconds you can hear it pretty good. I'm hoping someone will have an idea what this could be because it is really bothering me.

Click to expand...

Maybe the speedo cable is a little dry?
 
Newbomb Turk said:
Lucky you. The only noises I hear while driving g is my wife chipping at me for hours.

I think I’ll take your problem any day as I haven’t learned how to get my noise maker to stop.

Hopefully you get yours figured out.
Click to expand...

Passenger side airbag??
 
dart4forte said:
Maybe the speedo cable is a little dry
Click to expand...
I thought about that too as I'm about to pull my speedo for a similar tick accompanied with needle bounce. but the OP said the symptom is not happening on jack stands. So the engine must be under a load.
 
Mopar Sam said:
Passenger side airbag??
Click to expand...


lol I had other plans to quiet that noise but my father in law says you get jail time for that stuff so I passed.

What’s hilarious is on long trips I’ll put my ear buds in and play some music.

Of course that doesn’t stop the noise so I’m constantly taking one out and saying what?? What??

We are a rolling clown show.
 
I'm still thinking, altho, there have been many great possibilities mentioned.
I know I have heard that sound, but my brain is just not remembering where. I'll give it time, cuz sometimes my brain is working on solutions to problems I never knew I had.
 
I vaguely remember having a split in my transmission mount that allowed the tranny to move about under load. I think it caused noise on my ball and trunion (1964 manual trans).
In another instance of a similar noise I had after a night at the drag strip, when I reinstalled the exhaust pipes to the header collectors I didn’t rotate the assembly on one side far enough away from the driveshaft. It made a noise of a higher pitch than what is on the audio.

If you have headers, check the collector gaskets.
 
I assume you checked for an exhaust leak. Probably the most likely problem
 
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