Clinking sound coming from middle of engine

[72Charger440]

Hi all, I hope this is the right place to post.

I'm pretty new to the classic car scene. I've had this car for almost a year. It's ran and sounded beautiful thus far.

Yesterday I was cruising when I noticed a clinking sound. I know it's new because I can hear it over the could of the engine. It increase with idle speed and vice versa. Unknown history on this vehicle.

I will attach a video that I recorded I'm hopes of someone being able to help diagnose the sound. Thanks!!

 

[69L48Z27]

Your YouTube video is marked ‘private’.

 

[72Charger440]

Your YouTube video is marked ‘private’.

Whoops! Youtube is giving me grief so I went and used streamable instead. Sorry about that!

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

It could be exhaust leak.
Idle sounds high so hard to tell.

 

[69L48Z27]

Hopefully it’s a torque converter bolt backing out or rocker hitting the valve cover but that doesn’t sound very good. Hope you can find it quickly. Worst case you have parts ready to remove themselves from the engine.

 

[72Charger440]

It could be exhaust leak.
Idle sounds high so hard to tell.

You're correct. This video is from a cold start and in high idle.
I'll post a better video in a couple days. I can't thank you all enough for the help in trying to figure this out

 

[moparedtn]

If you're referring to that rapid staccato-type rapping sound, that isn't exhaust - that's valvetrain.

 

[Hijinx]

sounds like the valves to me... good oil pressure?

 

[toolmanmike]

If you're referring to that rapid staccato-type rapping sound, that isn't exhaust - that's valvetrain.

Unscheduled engine disassembly! Not good what ever it is.

 

[toolmanmike]

Damn, she's trying to eat her pigs!

 

[Garage Rat]

I couldn't listen to the video but based on what others are saying, I'd first try to pin the noise down, if you don't have an engine stethoscope use a pipe to determine if its top end or bottom end. Usually if its knocking its bottom end and if its more a high pitch its likely top end. If its valve train as stated by Hijinx it should be heard higher in the engine and the noise should be heard thru the valve covers. You didn't mention anything about your engine? What is the valve train, solid or hydraulic flat tapet, solid or hydraulic roller? If noise is from the top end and you haven't lost any power you may just have a solid and need a valve job.

 

[coronet68mx]

First of all check your oil pressure, as stated sounds like valves to me, a mechanic stethoscope is your friend here, do the napkin test, put soy engine oil in a napkin on a straight line and see if you have metal parts or metal glitter in the oil, remove the oil filter also and check that too for metal flakes,, if you find metal parts is the engine bottom and is bad, if not is the engine upper, check all the valve train.

 

[72Charger440]

Updated sound when it's been running for a minute. The 'tapping' sound actually went away for a minute after the idle drops. As you can see in the video once I rev it the tapping comes back. Oil pressure once idle dropped was sitting at approximately 60.

I utilized the steth and was able to locate it on the passenger side rocker cover, with loudest seeming to be towards the rear of it. Honestly, it was all pretty similar though. Drivers side rocker sounded smooth.

I pulled the dipstick to get some oil and DID find mild metal flakes on the napkin. Will pull filter and rocker cover later and report back any findings. I think yall nailed it on the head with valvetrain.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[JG71B]

Lifter or sticky valve?

 

[72Charger440]

Well, pulled the cover off. Nothing looked out of place as far as I'm concerned (upload photos).

Cover wasn't being rubbed against or anything unusual like that. Rods don't look bent. My diagnosis may have been off. Sounds like it may be coming from more center of the engine beneath the intake?

Unfortunately, I'm garage-less for the time being and am going to have to call it a day. I will be continuing to search for possible solutions and troubleshooting.

 

[Hijinx]

Couldn't you start it without the valve covers and just take a good look to see if you see anything obvious?

 

[72sunroof]

Before you start it with a valve cover off push on each pushrod and see if the lifter collapses. They should never just collapse if you push on one.

 

[Nate S]

I suggest cranking it with a wrench or starter with the coil off. Do all the valves move? Could have wiped the cam. Metal flakes in the oil…

 

[72Charger440]

Couldn't you start it without the valve covers and just take a good look to see if you see anything obvious?

Hey there! Thank you for the input. I did fire it up and looked but there was nothing obvious. There's a few more places I want to look, but won't be able to for the next couple days

 

[72Charger440]

I suggest cranking it with a wrench or starter with the coil off. Do all the valves move? Could have wiped the cam. Metal flakes in the oil…

Thank for the input! I wiped it after the photos were taken and the findings were insignificant. Will have to look in few more places.
Tied up with work but will be off in a few days