https://goo.gl/photos/VYhnCZkAQogZrYyr6

Here's a video of it. I'm stumped as to what that noise is, belts? Pinging? Something else?

 

That alternator belt looks pretty loose. May want to tighten it and see if the noise goes away.

 

How is the oil level Rick? Alternator belt is loose but I can't see it making that much noise. Put your hand on the fuel pump and see if its ticking, Sounds like exhaust leak in a way. Feel around manifolds, heat riser, and the egr etc. Hard to tell from the video. I don't think the timing chain would be hitting the cover but that could be a possibility to. Valves.. listen around the covers, pull the pcv and breather out of the covers and listen .
How many miles?

Eric

 

Oil level is fine, recently changed too. I think it has 150,000 miles; never knew if it was 50,000 or 150,000 but ill assume the latter.

Also I forgot to mention but I had engine pinging on the highway so I retarded the timing a bit (was way too advanced, now it's slightly advanced @ 24*B at 1100 rpms). Test drove it, no pinging on the highway, hauled more *** when I stepped on it and idled smoother.

Then this noise showed up. Should I retard it a bit?

 

Is it harder to start with it advanced that much? If its pinging when you step on it, retard the timing. You may be into a timing chain. Grab a piece of wood and hold it against the timing cover to see if you feel any vibration, noise etc.

 

No, it starts right up like it should. I don't think it could be the timing chain.. I would imagine that would sound a lot like a bad rattle.

 

If it starts up like it should then your timing isn't way too far advanced. Try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from.
It could even be a bad motor mount that your fan is hitting the shroud. Process of elimination at this point. Tighten up your alternator belt as tru-blue mentioned and go from ther.

 

Yes, its gonna have to be process of elimination. I feel like it could be a belt, it's just strange to me why this noise suddenly came out.

Like tru-blue said, it does look loose. Could be it but why the sudden noise is beyond me.

 

You have oil pressure? Pump could be blocked with plastic from the original timing chain gear. Just guessing here Rick.
I hope its helping a little.

Eric

 

Serrated style belt? Remove the belt then run the engine. Sounds like alternator or Serrated belt wine.

 

Oil pressure is perfect and consistent in the 30-60 psi range

 

The alternator belt looked pretty loose in that video. I'll check that next time I run the car

 

I hate to say it, but I can't hear any unusual sounds in that video.

- Eric

 

It's a really high pitched intermittent sound.

 

x2

 

I didn't hear the noise this morning when I started it. We'll see if it comes back when it's warmed up.

And the alternator belt had a lot of slack on it. That may be the culprit like you guys said
https://goo.gl/photos/5NHHU7Cjmzj9Zq1Z6

 

Was that after you tightened up the belts?

 

Dam!! you seem to be getting several gremlins lately that just come and go without returning both here and on the other site LOL. Maybe its your hearing going Rick haha.

 

I throw this out there...

Sometimes if your coolant is low, you might hear some whistling or wooring noise that usually emits from the heater core. That "might" be a source.

 

Thats true I've had some problems come and go, it's strange lol. The other day I had a little coolant leaking on the thermostat, I thought "oh great" but the next day it was gone.

As for the coolant, it is right where it should be. And the whistling sounds normal to me, my brother has a 307 olds on his 87 Regal and it whistles just like mine. That thing runs so nice and gets good fuel economy too!

My hearing? I'm still young!

 

HAHA no I haven't done that yet. I tried to tighten it but I couldnt. Do I have to loosen the mounting bolt to the bracket too? I only loosened the adjusting bolt and tried to pull the alternator but nothing.

 

Ugg...It's a nice car, you could start with tight belts and see how it goes.
Or try this, in the morning, when the car is cold take all the belts off and fire it.
It takes a little bit for the engine to warm up so you can rev it a few times anyway, (3-4 minutes),
to listen, maybe post That vid, then at idle with a walk about....

I was with some of the boys, didn't hear much. I may have heard a lifter tick, but nothing out of the ordinary. How many miles does she have on her? I may have missed that.

 

not sure, either 50,000 or 150,000 the PO never knew.
yeah she ticks when cold, but after warming up it quiets down

 

ok so I checked the deflection on the alternator belt, it's 1/2" which is right on spec. I dont know about you guys but it looks to me that the power steering pulley is wobbling slightly

 

Some carbs tend to whistle a bit. Power steering pumps make noise as they age. That belt looks loose.

 

I know it does but the deflection is on spec.

 

With how much force applied?

- Eric

 

good amount of thumb pressure not sure roughly how many pounds that translates into

 

Should be quite firm pressure, but not super hard.

You develop a feel for it.

There are also measuring tools (I have one, but never use it).

- Eric

 

Also what bolts do I need to loosen to be able to adjust the belt?

Just the mounting bolt, and the adjusting bolt?

 

Loosen the slot and pivot bolts for all accys to adjust belts.

 

Take a look at the belt. If the sides of the belt are glazed (shiney and hard) it can slip even when tight and will need to be changed. If you change a belt recheck it after a few days of running time as a new belt will usually stretch some and it will need to be retightened. After the initial stretch and readjustment it will keep the tension for a long time. Also be sure to use a belt with the correct width. The 1/2 inch play is a good rule of thumb but isn't a definite factor as to belt tension being enough to not allow slip.Other factors such as belt and pulley condition and distance between pulleys are. If you have a rope streched 20 feet and there is a 6 inch deflection it is pretty tight, but if the rope is only stretched 5 feet and there is a 6 inch deflection it is loose. I have found the best way to check alt belt tension is to grab the alt fan and turn it. If the alt belt and crank pulley does not move with the alt pulley the belt is loose. Some cars will have another belt (usually PS) that drive the alternator belt. In this case the alt belt may turn with the alt pulley but the crank pulley won't move. If this happens the drive belt needs tightened.

 

All right thank you guys for all the information!

 

Any updates Rick? Was the alternator belt the issue?

Eric

 

I think it was, I tightened it and now i don't hear it
still a bit floppy but it's not bad.