L-Series Distributor Noise

[Mocky]

Hi all,

My Sporty is running pretty much like a dream now, which I'm really pleased with. The oil is about 4 months old and I checked it the other day and it still looks like new...winning! So, only two things are bugging me:

1. The distributor seems to be a bit noisy when cruising along the motorways, nothing offensive, you can just hear the mechanical whirring slightly, is that normal? Any suggestions?

2. There's knocking in what feels like the steering column and over the rear drivers wheel over bumpy Sydney roads so going to investigate that, but are there any known weak points it could be or are there just too many options?

Cheers,
SM

 

[El_Freddo]

The knocking you hear are the factory struts that are on their way out. Replace them and the knocking will go away.

As for the whirring sound I'm not 100% sure I understand. I just thought this is the high revs the engine is pulling at cruise. At 100kmph you're doing about 3250 revs and 110kmph is 3500rpm.

This noise should change if you keep the same speed but change down a gear. If it doesn't change as described, but does change with speed I'd be looking into a wheel bearing. If it the noise does change with revs and is actually the dizzy the noise should be coming from the passenger's side.

Further investigation might be needed. It wouldn't hurt to check the shaft play in the dizzy too. Remove the cap and see if you can move the shaft in any direction. If so renew the dizzy.

Cheers

Bennie

 

[Mocky]

Thanks Bennie. I'll check the rear struts, passed the blue slip but maybe they weren't that bad then.

As far as the whirring sound goes, it seems to be engine speed related and even at idle there a slight mechanical whirring from the distributor so I'll check any movement in the shaft as you mentioned.

Mine doesn't have a rev counter but it certainly didn't feel like 3500 at 110kmh, felt lower which is nice. Buzzed along really smoothly. I do want to get a Touring wagon dial unit with the tacho if one comes up.

Cheers
SM

 

[El_Freddo]

You'll be surprised to find that those revs are what the engine does at cruise. If you've got a non turbo box and 3.7 ratio diff's it'll be what I've said

The whirring noise could be the alternator. They can do this when a bearing is on the way out or possibly sometimes when the bushes have a bit of crap stuck in them but I'm not 100% sure on that latter diagnosis. It could also be your throw out bearing. Worth replacing if you ever do a clutch, also do the rear main while you're there

Worst case scenario is that it's a bearing in the gearbox, either the input shaft or the low range idler gear's bearing. You can easily test this by pushing the clutch in and selecting a gear. If the noise stops it's gearbox related. If it changes pitch with the use of the clutch it'll most likely be the throw out bearing.

Start with the simple easy to check items and go from there. The other thing it could be is a cam belt idler/tensioner pulley or the AC tensioner pulley's bearing. Don't stress though, the EA82 is a non interference engine so no damage if you slice a belt, just an inconvenience!

Cheers

Bennie

 

[El_Freddo]

Ah yeah, and to fit the tacho dash it's unfortunately not a plug and play game. On the round plugs I believe pins need to be changed, wring may need to be added from the tacho to the coil for it to work. The 4wd and other display lights will need an adaptor harness to be made or wiring plugs to be swapped.

Don't let that put you off. It has been done and the touring wagon dash is SOOO much nicer to look at! I did mine by reworking the whole car with a touring wagon wiring loom. Sounds like a lot of work but it was pretty simple since I already had the interior and dash out for the EJ conversion. I also added factory power windows, mirrors and central locking at the same time. I'd do an after market kit on the central locking as I had to swap door locking mechanisms too. That was not fun as you have to remove the window runner guide to get the locking mechanism out!

Cheers

Bennie