Began to notice a rattling/knocking sound at idle. Loudest in gear, and really clanky when switching into reverse from drive. Worse when engine cold. Sound went away at road speed. So I figured it was time to have a look. Got it up, dropped the trans pan to start. Great news...there was no metal in the pan at all. Apart from a little grey sludge over in a corner, it was totally clean. Fluid smelled like new. My 400 build has survived!
Next, removed the converter inspection cover, and low and behold...2 of the 3 ARP converter bolts were loose. They were about 3/4 of the way out.
Took them out, they were all fine with no wear, and the flexplate holes were still round. Cleaned everything up and re-installed them with high strength Loctite red.
When I joined the transmission to the engine, I had the motor up on 4 stands, so I really don't think I tightened them up as much as I could have for fear of dropping the motor. And no, I didn't use Loctite. Should have went under and re-did them with the engine in the car, but overlooked it somehow.
So for me, lesson learned, potential destruction prevented, one can imagine what would have happened had they come out. Count me lucky.
Torque the bolts, or at least tighten them as much as possible, and use Loctite. And best of all... don't ignore any unusual sounds.
Cheers,
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67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 69 Parisienne Convertible.
Wow...good thing you caught it in time Mark.Think we've all missed something in a rebuild. Mine was starter bolts...terrible noise! My wife always bugs me about having the window down when I hear a funny noise(thinking it's the car). Most times it's the car behind or in front of me....soon as they turn off,the noise goes away.
Years ago I bought a first generation Chevy II with a hot little 327 in it. Listened to it at the guy's house and loved it. He offered to deliver it a few days later. He dropped it off in my yard when I wasn't home. I came home and when I started it up I was convinced it had a rod knock. I went straight to my credit union and stopped payment on the cheque.
My older brother was an excellent mechanic. He took one listen and said "check the converter bolts". Sure enough, all 3 of them had loosened up. It sounds scary though when it happens, doesn't it....?
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Last year when I cheered up the 396, I tightened the converter bolts and I put Loctite on those bolts. I can't even remember if those bolts called for Loctite but I did it anyways. No issues after 200 miles.
