I have a noise in the engine compartment of my '65 Valiant that started suddenly a few days ago, immedately after my gas tank rturned up dry. It sounds s bit like a whine from a power steering pump with a bearing going out, only generally higher pitched. Somewhere I've heard a sound like it - a small industrial pump or motor of some kind, maybe with a bad bearing.

It follows the engine speed very precisely, reaching an almost inaudible pitch at speed. When the engine shuts down it does a "eeeyoww" right down to the last. (It even bears a resemblance to an old fashioned tea kettle just before starting to boil.)

I've put a stethoscope on it repeatedly, going out to check it on different days when I get to thinking maybe I dreamed the whole thing. No such luck. It's always there, always the same, every time.

The reasons I get to thinking and check it again are several. It is definitely not the alternator; that has it's own lower pitched sound. Not the heater blower motor. I have no power steering. I've put the stethoscope to every place imaginable, the alternator, the water pump, even the starter, every inch or so on the block, head and valve cover. the timing chain cover, as close as possible to the oil pump and more, front, rear, right, left.

Now the real reason it blows my mind. The whine comes from right on top of the normal, ordinary, every day, mechanical, pump action, diaphragm powered fuel pump. Not at the base or anywhere near it. The top of the fuel pump. Either the round part above the diaphragm or those "towers" where the hose connections are.

So there you have it. Unless someone posts an explanation, there's proof that I've completely lost my mind. Of course such a post might not necessarily prove otherwise, but...

Ruptured fuel pump diaphragm???

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Maybe the tiger in your tank got caught in the fuel line?

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Take your fan belt off and start the engine to see if the sound is gone, if it is gone possibly a water pump bearing or altenator bearing. You should be able to spin them and fell which one it is.

If that doesnt show to be the problem you could even pull the pump off the block & start it & see if the noise is gone. Of course neither of these methods you should let the engine run for more than a few moments but long enough to verify the problem.

noise can travel in some funny ways and there could even be a dizzy or oil pump problem or even from the tranny but the first two test should get you going in the right direction.



Jess

Your muffler bearing need to be lubicated with compression oil.

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67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir

hey that muffler bearing thing isnt a joke anymore, variable volume mufflers actually have bearings where the doors ride!

(It's pretty clear from all the original poster has mentioned that in this particular car, most of the whining is coming from the nut behind the wheel.)

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I found and corrected the noise.

I still have a steel, front crossover fuel line between the pump and carb. When I removed the connection at the carb during checks the other day, the steel line came out of its clip and rose just enough to touch the fan belt slightly when reconnected to the carb. With the belt on the line acting as a bow on a fiddle string it fed the oscillations into the top of the fuel pump where I picked them up with the stethoscope.

I had the engine running while checking the choke and noticed the line out of the clip. I put it back and the whine stopped instantly.

Thanks for all the fun suggestions.

I'm glad it was that simple. If I were you, I'd replace that section of fuel line. Give the new line or hose more clearance, as things do move around under the hood.

That situation could have ended very, very badly.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Slant Six Dan has scored another correct answer. You the man Dan. Thanks Ron Parker. Ps Nut Behind the wheel. I Hope that aint me.












It Aint Over Until I Win

Yeah, thanks for making the point. I left out one detail of little import. The reason it followed the engine speed so tunefully is that the belt is notch backed. Maybe I'll invent a new musical instrument from this.