Well I have had this pinging, metallic scratching noise at start up for quite some time, almost a year. The car runs well, except in the morning (cold). The pinging and metallic scratching noise are at start up and also if I have too much gear, like if I am in 3rd gear taking a slow corner or something. And also when I get on the gas hard from a cruise.

I am wondering if this could be caused by cam timing being off? I really don't wan't to pull the valve cover, and get into it as I live in apartments and they will **** in there pants.

I am just curious as to what type of sound a car will make with the cam timing off, say by 1 to 2 teeth.

any help is appreciated.
thanks
mike

 

Your best bet is to stick a timing light on it and see if youre that far off from stock. one or two teeth will make a significant difference.

Yes, if your timing is off there is a good chance that you will hear pinging when the engine is loaded. Dont really know what to say about the metallic scraping noise, except that metallic scraping noises are no good!

 

the ignition timing will only show a problem if its the exhaust cam thats off a tooth or two....the intake could be off.....

it wont idle right ever with the timing off like that....

the scratching noise is probably the fact that your oil isnt doing too good of a lubrication job right when you start it up.....thats why you should let it warm up for a few minutes....

 

The reason I ask is because last year I had a shop install a new distributor as my hand was broken and ever since I have had the noise. I checked the ignition timing after the install and it was at 15. So I thought everything was ok and maybe the distributor was just loud. ( distributor king, anyone have problems with these distributors).

The car has ran great and no noticeable power loss, or acting any different other than the noise. the idle is still strong.

Well I guess maybe I will pull the valve cover, and check it out. I guess I can replace the gasket and spark plug seals while I am in there.



thanks

 

there is a possibility they let some grime get in there or something....you ought to check all in there and around it and even pull the vc and check all the rockers and cam lobes...