strategy400

For anyone who doesn't already know, or have a tension tool, I've found on several occasions that knocking and tapping noises can be reduced or eliminated by loosening overtightened accessory belts (power steering, A/C, alternator). It doesn't take much to tug that crank out of whack enough to mess with oil clearances (remember those thousandths of an inch clearances?). It even seems to help the car idle better. The looser the belts the better imo.

Try it if you have a knock or tap, or just to make the car run better. It takes a little trial and error to get the sweet spot where they are loose yet don't slip.