hey all,

I converted my EL to manual about 3~4weeks ago, it has developed a rattle at idle when its cold,
if I stick my head under the car right where the box is, (beside the skirt as I cannot get under any further as shes too low) I can hear it, its like a tap tap, sound.. its something ive never heard before, I was reading up and read somewhere that its possible the flywheel bolts have come loose, but I don't know.. I thought if it was flywheel bolts I surely would feel it throughout the rev range, and while im driving etc.. I would've thought id get a vibration, but I have no such vibration..

once I get in the car and go for a drive and pull over, stick my head under.. noise is gone.. its only when its cold and after I first start it, it will sit, idle and rattle all day if I do not drive it, but the second I go for a drive its gone, cannot hear it whilst driving, so I don't know.. has me stuffed..

if I push the clutch in after first starting the car (whilst noise is there) it doesn't go away, or change or anything so leads me to believe its not the flywheel bolts?...

im willing to pull the box out and check but id prefer not too if I don't have too.. any suggestions would be great.. I don't want to pull the box out and it not be the flywheel bolts.. I don't think it is because like I said, I get no vibration or anything whilst driving, I have a slight lifter tick after putting a screwdriver on the rocker cover but its not the same tap sound.. it kind of has me worried, just after any suggestions on what it could be before I do something crazy and pull the box out..

hello..

did you locktight the flywheel bolts when you torqued it on? I don't think that is your problem, but you should have locktighted them anyway...

If you are worried about loose flywheel.. get the car up on ramps, take off the bottom flywheel coverplate and see if the flywheel has any lateral movement.. I don't think it will but you can check.

Are you positive the tapping isn't coming from the engine? If the noise continued when the clutch was in.. then it isn't the gearbox as it wouldn't be turning.. (but put it in gear and put the clutch in so you can make sure the input shaft isn't still turning, see if it still doesn't stop tapping) Noises some times are not coming from where they sound like they are...

Get the car up on ramps, let it cool down and then start it, wait for the tapping and get under the car with a big screwdriver.. put the handle near your ear and the other end hard up against where you think the noise is coming from.. it will be clear as a bell and you can move around and find the location exactly...

sounds to me like the engine tapping as the oil fills up all the galleries.. then stopping.. but the screw driver will help you narrow it down.

hi Frankieh, thanks for the reply,

I did Locktight the Flywheel bolts as I know if you don't they can leak oil, and come loose.

i also tried pushing the clutch in and slotting it into gear and it does exactly that, no hassle or grind whatsoever just slots in nicely, and the sound still continues..

it may be the engine but i also hope not.. she runs smooth as and i just redone the top end, it still pushes 185psi out of each cylinder nice and even, and i do not rev the crap out of my car, hardly ever hits 4grand.. i utilise the down low torque.. ill have to do the screwdriver trick when shes over the pit.. ill also pull the inspection cover off and try to move the flywheel to see if there is any movement..

cheers mate.

Just a thought. Could the sandwich plate be touching the flywheel or clutch cover plate?

possible, but why would it stop the first time you drive and not happen again till next time?

...spigot/thrust bearing?

Spigot and thrust bearing are 3~4 weeks old, i put new ones in when i converted it,

Dust cover is not a possibility because as said it stops after i go for a drive,

Locktight on the flywheel definetly had time to set also because i put the flywheel and clutch on then called it quits for the day (was about 6pm) then i started finishing the conversion around 10am the next day..

Thanks heaps everyone!

Did you get it fixed mate?

I would have guessed throw-out bearing, but considering it is still making sound when the clutch is in makes sound like it isn't the bearing. (If I read that correctly)

I know on cold mornings or really quiet nights I can hear a rattle coming from around the bell-housing in my el, but it goes away as soon as you put pressure on the clutch pedal. Someone once told me that was the throw-out bearing making sounds because it is worn.

Nah i havnt had the chance to run her over the pit yet.. hopefully get the chance to look at it early next week.. its been driving normal and the noise hasnt gotten any worse, but i still want to know what it is lol.. just need time