Before you panic completely (start dropping the sump and contemplating a
rebuild), check the engine mounts, particularly the right side.
The catalytic converter is very near the right engine mount, and the
tendency of the Z-S carb to run rich meant that the cat-con could get
V-E-R-Y hot. On almost all 1500 Midgets I've seen with any mileage on
them the right engine mount was either collapsed or recently replaced.
Check the rear tranny mounts, too, as those tend to fare poorly as well.
If the mounts are collapsed you will get all manner of thumps, ticks and
buzzes appearing and disappearing at various RPMs as bits of the car
resonate with the engine vibrations. The noise going away on
acceleration and deceleration could be mounts, as the whole assembly
shifts back and forth if the mounts are sloppy.
That having been said, the 1500 IS hard on the bottom end bearings, so
after you get the mounts diagnosed, it might be worth dropping the sump
for a look-see. The main and rod bearings can be replaced with the
engine still in the car.
Chris K.
Steve hess wrote:
>
> Midget & Sprite Club - http://www.midgetspriteclub.com/
>
> Just purchased my 79 midget. Have adjusted valves. While driving engine
>makes tapping noise that goes away during acceleration and deceleration. The
>Noise starts at around 2700 rpm. Seems to go away around 3500 rpm. The
>engine has 88k miles on it and I do not think that it has been rebuilt. I
>have not checked compression but it does not smoke. Is this a timing chain
>problem? Is it rod bearings? In neutral I cannot reproduce the noise.
>
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