[Argess]

I seem to have a single click when accelerating my FE 428. It seems to be coming from the engine. I don't hear it out the exhaust. It's not very loud, almost faint. It's occuring somewhere around 4500 rpm, give or take.

I'm going to be removing the oil pan soon (for other reasons) so will check for loose rod caps and bearings. I would have thought that a problem there wouldn't be a single click, tap, knock, whatever, but a repetative noise.

I once had a very old (1950s vintage) 10 Hp outboard, that every once in a while would let the piston hit the sparkplug and short out the ground electrode to the center electrode. Between the episodes, the engine ran fine with no noise. Eventually the rod broke at the wirst pin and a hole....er...holes....appeared in the block. So I'm wondering if loose bearing caps, bearings, etc. could cause a single noise at a certain rpm.

Any thoughts?

[lookatme]

distributor clatter?? detonation possibly?

[Argess]

It may be detonation, but not due to ignition timing. It might be from an intake gasket oil leak. I've only had smoking issues from those types of leaks, but I hear oil in a cylinder can cause detonation.

I also have clutch chatter, but a visual inspection showed nothing.

Today I noticed something that might connect both problems. If I rock the car back and forth when it's in 1st gear, I can hear something "crunching"....like a bad u-joint. It doesn't do this if I rock the car in neutral. Sounds can travel and maybe it's all from some rear-end/driveline problem.

Next step, put the car on axle stands and have a little look-see.

[cucumber1949]

I had a sound similar to what you're describing on a 64 Malibu. Would only hear it one time after stomping on it. It progressively developed into a clunk sound and finally a frame-to-crossmember weld broke, which made a loud bang!! A quick trip to the shop, re-welded the joint and no more sound.

[SSedan64]

Naaaa, that couldn't happen. I had a similar pop/bang. Rear control arm mount.