87 V10 thunking noise in transmission/bell housing

[lrryr]

Hi Everyone,

On the off chance someone familiar with the innards in this area might have an idea what going on I'm posting this.

Recently had seals done and the bell housing replaced on my 87 V10, 350 with the 4 spd with granny gear, 4wd.

The first go round the shop had a guy who he subsequently let go do the work, there was still an oil leak and I had a crack in my bell housing which was left on until I could find a replacement.

Ever since then there is a clunking noise coming out of that area when the engine is warm and the drive train isn't under load (not accelerating). It's random clunks, not rythmic at all, and the rate doesnt change with speed or gear. It doesn't matter whether the clutch is in or out, or if the truck is in neutral or not, or if the truck is moving or not. It's not very loud, on the highway the road noise about covers it up. On average maybe 2 or 3 clunks per second that vary in loudness and tone, almost like shaking a part around in a box.

With the temp making a difference something isnt clearing something else for sure, it's this and that it's a random clunk that throws me, doesnt seem like it's just something loose.

To make a long story short, the shop owner re-did the job when my bell housing came in, did another seal or two that probably should have been done in the first place. Turned out the leaking oil was from oil that was sloppily spilled someplace and not a poorly done seal. Still he didn't charge me anything to do all that work even though I needed the bell housing replaced anyway, a really good guy and he'll have my business in the future.

He didnt hear the noise and looked for anything that might cause it but didnt see anything. I trust this guy.

Anyway, I just got my shop insulated and heated and have time off starting this week and will get under there and drop the tranny if I need to to try and see whats going on and would appreciate any thoughts anyone might have. Honestly I think the shop owner has taken good care of me, don't want him spending another day going back in there and then not charging me, he has to make a living too and he's the type of guy that would do that even if it put a serious strain on his business, he's mostly a one man shop. And I want to start doing all the work on my truck myself going forward anyway.

Thanks for any help/pointers/tips.

Larry

[bobcooter]

I'd check all the bolts that hold it all together first. Make sure none are loose. Then I may check the rear mount. In other words, check all of the easy, simple stuff first. Then move on to the big stuff like dropping the transmission.

[1980c10]

Is the shifter ever noisy? Given the history; it is unlikely that the noise you are hearing is the shifter; but it is a common enough problem and the sound is somewhat similar to what you describe. To check the shifter you need to remove it from the trans from inside the cab and inspect the tack welds (for cracks) that hold on the bottom pivot. It is pretty easy to check this and would be worth a check before removing the trans again.

[thirsty]

Honestly I think the shop owner has taken good care of me, don't want him spending another day going back in there and then not charging me, he has to make a living too and he's the type of guy that would do that even if it put a serious strain on his business, he's mostly a one man shop.

I got to commend you for thinking like this. Not everybody takes into consideration what it takes to get a job done in a shop. I know that I have lost my fair share working in the garage on the side for people. But you have to remember if it didn't make that noise when it went in the first time than it is more than likely because of something done in that shop and he is responsible for it. If I get in over my head with something it is my fault for saying I can fix it. I think you should talk to your mechanic again. Maybe leave it with him so he can drive it and it might come to him what it is.

[1979C20]

When my truck is idling, in nuetral with the clutch out, I hear thunks. But what im hearing is the throwout bearing. As soon as I push the clutch in it goes away. I dont know if maybe your problem is the same as mine, but I dont know if it would make the noise with the clutch in. just throwing an idea out.

[muddpuppy01]

I am thinking throw out bearing as well kind of sounded like rocks in the housing to me that first started off as a ticking noise

[lrryr]

Thanks for all the suggestions Guys.

I'll check all this out over the next week and hopefully find it and let you all know what it was.

Thirsty, I hear ya. But part of this is getting my shop set up recently. I'm 57 yrs young and have worked a "sit on my butt in front of a couple computers" job for the last 25 years.  I've gotten more exercise in the last month than I have in the last 10 years, and am enjoying every minute of it, my hands are taking a beating though, didn't expect that, never had muscle aches in my fingers before  8^) . So besides not wanting to put a hurting on an honest small business owner who works his butt off I've got some selfish reasons too. Eventually when I'm feeling more comfortable wrenching again (after at least 20 years) I want to swap the motor out for a modern one, so the more I can do myself going forward the better.

I bought this truck new, drove it for 6 or 7 years and put 100K on it. Since then it's been the family and friends loaner truck, it has only 120K on it now. My daughter started driving this year and we decided to 'share' my car, I haven't been in it since, she's absconded with it. Had to start driving the truck again, it didn't take long and I decided I like it. After this issue is resolved it needs body work, rust control and a new exhaust. Luckily I live in a fairly dry climate so it's not in too bad shape.

Sure glad I found this forum, what a great resource.

Thanks everyone,

Larry

[thirsty]

Nothing wrong with wanting to do your own work. I was just looking out for you. Taking a 4 speed out is quite a chore without a lift and all the right tools. They have got to weigh all of 150 pounds.

You are right about this forum. There are a lot of know ledgable people on here that are willing to help. There is somebody here that knows if you have questions.

[1979C20]

Ironically, this past week I started hearing a noise all of the time from my tranny. It sounds kind of like a grinding/clunking noise. But, I noticed my clutch is waaay out of adjustment. my vlutch is only like a half inch at the very top of the pedal. Im going to afjust it in the next day or two, ill let you know if that fixes the sounds.

[1980c10]

Ironically, this past week I started hearing a noise all of the time from my tranny. It sounds kind of like a grinding/clunking noise. But, I noticed my clutch is waaay out of adjustment. my vlutch is only like a half inch at the very top of the pedal. Im going to afjust it in the next day or two, ill let you know if that fixes the sounds.

An '87 would have a hydraulic clutch linkage.

[1979C20]

Ironically, this past week I started hearing a noise all of the time from my tranny. It sounds kind of like a grinding/clunking noise. But, I noticed my clutch is waaay out of adjustment. my vlutch is only like a half inch at the very top of the pedal. Im going to afjust it in the next day or two, ill let you know if that fixes the sounds.

An '87 would have a hydraulic clutch linkage.

Ahhh, good point, unless it was swapped in from an older truck.