still working on it!

[joe six]

Believe it or not, i'm still working on my old 79 Aspen; just had the vinyl top and head liner replaced. Looks much better now. However, i've started hearing a very slight noise (clank-clank) at the front of the engine when it revs down after fast acceleration (this with open hood when i'm making adjustments, can't hear it when i drive it) specially around the harmonic balancer. Since they made a pretty bad job rebuilding it, i've tought of removing the oil pan and inspect and re-torque everything down there. I did the same with the upper section with very good results (except for my back).
Does it sound too crazy/difficult? What could be making such noise?

Keep those slants running guys!

[Dick]

Fan rubbing the shroud due to motor mount flex?

[joe six]

I appreciate the suggestion, Dick, but the rad does not have a shroud and the noise is more (and i'm afraid to say this) metallic. like if something were loose down there. Maybe badly torqued or loose bolts? oil pressure's ok, by the way.

[SLANTRODDER]

Hey Joe, here's a few things....check the harmonic balancer bolt. If you don't have one, buy one and install it, most people say "ah well, it's a press fit and you don't need it" Not true, it's needed and I have walked a balancer off the shaft of a /6. The next thing is this, if you have a Tachometer it's a good idea to mark the rev's where you hear the noise and have your bride or a buddy kick the throttle while you are under the hood. Just make sure it's someone you trust! LOL Now, just because I'm really OCD about other people working on my stuff, a very rare occurence, I nut and bolt everything they touched PLUS I use the 12-inch rule to cover everything within that range of where they were working in case they had to loosen or remove something during the recent remove & replace ordeal. Since you had good results up top on the motor, this may be the way to go. If it's internal, you can verify that by using a stethoscope, if you dont have that a funnel, and move around along the oil pan listening. By the way, if you use a funnel, cup the large end over your ear and put a length of vacuum hose on the small end. I hope this helps.

[Ray Bell]

Look also for any loose or broken brackets... alternator brackets etc...

[Charrlie_S]

Check the balancer itself. The rubber may be bad.

[Rug_Trucker]

check your converter bolts.

[Ray Bell]

Someone else who's discovered at some time that sounds can travel through an engine!

Good thought...

[passing you]

sometimes crappy alternators go bad like the lil fan lookin thing that comes unglued on duralast alternators.

[joe six]

Well, tomorrow's the day. I'm gonna get under that slant six and try to find out what's making that noise, i'm actually taking note of ur suggestions so i don't forget anything; harmonic balancer, converter bolts, alt bracket and so on. By the way, how do you upload photos here? i checked the directions but it was all greek to me, i'm not much of a geek.