Barracuda Engine/Tranny Noises. Trying to Resolve.

[TimS]

Looking for some input on an issue thats arisen with my 72 Barracuda. Its an original 318/904 car with 130,000 miles. I have redone the heads and timing chain in the last few months. No work has ever been done on the tranny itself or lower end of the motor. Just last week I noticed a fairly significant rumbling noise, like the sound of a dry bearing, when the car is put in any gear. It goes away in park and neutral, at least it sounds as if it does. I can even feel this same sort of rumbling driving down the road at times. Kinda hard to isolate where its coming from.

I thought of rear tranny mount but the car does this sitting still with the brakes applied.

Another clue could be, I notice when I turn the motor off as it comes to a stop sometimes it makes a slight growl as well. Not always. With all the miles on the car I'm thinking I could have a bearing in the tranny or engine that is going South.

Any ideas???

[resq302]

Does it only do it when you are moving?  If so, check out the drive line.  How are the u-joints?  Has the rear axle or axle bearings been replaced at all?

If it does not do it in neutral or park, I would only have to think it would be a driveline problem as if it was the engine, it would do it in park or neutral as well.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I had similar symptoms with a 72 Charger-turned out to be the bearings in the A/C clutch...

[TimS]

I did replace the 'U' Joints in it about 5 years ago. They don't really clunk going into gear. The rear axle bearings are original.

The car also makes that noise while it is in gear sitting still and held with the brakes. Actually I would say the noise is more prevelant at that time. It comes and goes as it rolls down the road under load and acceleration. If you let off the gas it goes way. The rumble is most noticeable when the car is sitting still in gear. Gives me the impression of a bearing issue somewhere. I would liken the sound to a dry front wheel bearing issue I had a few years ago with my Super bee. In this case though the car is sitting still under load.

[TimS]

I actually did pull the alternator off my Roadrunner last night and stuck it on the Barracuda. I noticed the Cuda Alt bearings where noisey but that didn't do it. I took the PS and Alt belts off first and ran the car sitting in gear and thought it went away. I'm going out to take the PS belt off now and try again.

[TimS]

Problem ended up being the water pump bearings. I took the belt off and rotated by hand and they are very noisey.

[John_Kunkel]

Remove the dust cover from the front of the transmission bellhousing and check for loose converter bolts or a cracked flexplate.

If that checks OK, pry forward and back on the crankshaft to check for excessive end play.