Betsyd68

I have a stock 1969 Olds 442 with a 400 that just started to recently make this 'clicking' noise. The noise seems to be coming from the front of the engine. I originally thought it may have been the water pump going out. The 'clicking' increases as the RPMs increase. When I'm driving it about 50-55 mph there seems to be no more power after third gear @ about 2,500 RPM. I had sent this video below to my bother and he thought maybe it is a rod bearing. Wanted to hear your thoughts before I start taking it apart...

oldcutlass

Take the belts off and see if the noise goes away. If it doesn't... well it don't sound good.

RandyS

X2 ... Hmm, to me the sound was more audible from under the car........ hope it turns out to be an easy fix.

pogo69

how is the temp and oil pressure

dmullin

No power, clicking from front of engine sounds like fuel pump eccentric/arm issues. I can't say I've seen that in an olds, although I haven't seen a lot of things. Not hard to pull the pump, look through the hole.

nsnarsk65cutlass

Check for a cracked flexplate,if that's not it suspect a rod bearing.

Betsyd68

Temp and oil pressure are good...it did start to over heat a little shortly before the noise started.

dmullin

After listening to the video I think my original thoughts are very optimistic. Sounds like bearing trouble, although tiny computer speakers don't really tell the story. Best of luck. And don't drive it anywhere. (in the off chance you might)

pogo69

i'm thinking engine bearing because the over heat situation, but oldscutlass mentioned removing the belts to rule out pump bearings so thats what you should do

pogo69

seems a lot of people have had engine bearing problems with olds...something that is pretty rare with todays cars

tru-blue 442

Not good. Sounds to me like a rod knock.

don71

Is the power steering pump loose? It sure seems to wobble with frequency maybe that is the noise.

Railguy

I don't' think a rod bearing could make a noise like that without losing oil pressure.
railguy

Tedd Thompson

Pull the oil filter cut it open and see if a surprise lies within......Tedd

seansolds

If the noise doesn't go away after you pull the belts remove the drivers side valve cover see if it broke the rocker girdle..you can see and hear an obvious miss, but the sound resonates to much on video.

oldcutlass

It may be the harmonic balancer or lower pulley also.

don71

I've had my balancer become loose before. Sounded a lot like this.

Just check everything.