Running fine, horrible noise, pop, running fine

[Zax40]

After work today I took my roadster for a quick spin around the neighborhood. Everything was going great. Then out of nowhere a horrible noise started coming from the engine/transmission area. To me it sounded like the time the pilot bearing came apart in my old Ford Ranger. It sounded like a piece of something small was rattling around and scraping against things randomly.

I pulled back into my driveway and opened the hood. I wasn't having much luck tracing down the source of the noise. Clutch in and out, engine rev and idle. Nothing made a change to the noise. I took a quick video then walked into the garage to dig out my auto stethoscope. About that time I heard a loud pop and the noise stopped.

I got back in my roadster and tested the clutch and all gears, revved the engine, adjusted the timing a little. Everything was back to normal. I took it for another spin around the neighborhood and everything was back to normal.

I really don't like it when things break and then fix themselves before you figure out what the heck happened. Who's to know it won't come back.

Any ideas what the heck might have happened? I'll try to upload the video that caught the noise.

[Zax40]

I'm not sure if this will work for the videos.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KVv...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19qL...ew?usp=sharing

[Bob C]

maybe an old starter spring bolt finally found its way into the flywheel.

[amclass]

"I really don't like it when things break and then fix themselves ..."

Hilarious ... need to have that printed on my next Ford shirt immediately.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by Bob C

maybe an old starter spring bolt finally found its way into the flywheel.

Is that a common thing to happen?

[Mike Peters]

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Have you tried to restart it? If your starter still works, then you can eliminate a stray Bendix spring bolt. I watched your video, and it does sound like something could be bouncing around loose in the flywheel housing. If not, then take off your fan belt and start it up to eliminate the generator or water pump.

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Zax40

Is that a common thing to happen?

FTW. When I removed my trans. I filled a baby food bottle almost 1/2 inch deep with broken spring parts, busted washers, cracked nuts, bolt heads, flywheel teeth and various other metallic parts. Never heard a noise but not speaking for previous owners. Neat display on my odd stuff shelf.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by Mike Peters

Have you tried to restart it? If your starter still works, then you can eliminate a stray Bendix spring bolt. I watched your video, and it does sound like something could be bouncing around loose in the flywheel housing. If not, then take off your fan belt and start it up to eliminate the generator or water pump.

It restarts fine. I think I will pull the starter and see if I can see anything in the flywheel housing. I also have one of those magnets on a long rod I can stick in and fish around with.

[nkaminar]

It also sounds to me like something rattling around in the flywheel housing. Take your starter out and fish around with a bore scope. Look at the teeth on the flywheel for signs that something hit it. Turn the engine over by hand to examine all the teeth.

[KevinH944]

I had a similar issue with a noise that went away when one of the clutch springs came loose and fell out, but I didn't know what it was at the time. A few months later another let go and I had to replace the clutch disk. I took the advice I found here on the Barn and used the better disk with "keepers".

[Planojc]

Remove the inspection plate on top of the bell housing and see if you can see anything when you rotate the engine.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by Planojc

Remove the inspection plate on top of the bell housing and see if you can see anything when you rotate the engine.

I'll do that, thanks

Sadly it will be Monday evening before I can squeeze in any garage time. I'm going to be driving myself crazy thinking about what it could be in the meantime.

[tinkirk]

Be sure to check the ring gear on the flywheel all the way around that it has worked it’s way forward
Had that once drove me nuts
until i found it after pulling the motor
Then i was grateful that’s all it was


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zax40]

I think I found it. Pretty sure this bolt is supposed to have a head on it. Fished around with my magnet on a stick, but no luck yet finding the broken off piece. I'll try my luck with a reverse drill bit and bolt extractor.

[katy]

Might not hurt to check and/or replace the rest of the bolts holding the clutch on.