On my old 86 2.5, the engine sounded like a sewing machine while idling. I've noticed this with some older Grand Am's and Celebrity's with the 2.5. Just curious if everyone elses sounds like this. I'm pretty sure it's from the roller tip lifters, right? Just one of these sooo very important questions that run through my head.

Kris

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It is a common noise in the 2.5. The timing gears get a little loose and start to make noise. Aftermarket gears usually make noise from day one. Nothing to worry about unless it gets real loud.

Hey, you weren't supposed to notice that!!

That's GM's big secret, the 2.5L Iron Duke is actually just a commercial sewing machine hooked up to a transaxle.

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mine just has an injector clicking noise for some reason (on my 2M4)

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Carbed 2.9 engine build in progress. forged pistons, crane cam, fully balanced, ARP bolts, double roller timing chain and more
--Adam--
IM AOL: FieroGT5speed

My current coupe engine sounds like a very stressed Singer until it warms up then it gets a litle better. That is one reason I am rebuilding another engine for her.

I will let you know the results when I am done (fingers crossed).

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Do all Dukes sound like a sewing machine? YES

Yea, mine clatters too..

I think the problem is made worse by the fact that the noise can escape through the vents over the engine making it sound louder when you stand by the car.... Other cars have a solid hood, and some even have hood insulation..

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1988 Fiero Coupe 2.5L
1990 Trans Am GTA 5.7L

i have at one time or another owned 4 pace cars my 84 SD Banshee and an 87 coupe. the 50k mile 4-speed pacer and the 2 automatic indys did/do NOT sound like they have/had a bag of rocks rattling around in there. the rest however still do. i have no idea why the 3 i have owned do/did not while the other 2 do, as you stated "sound like a sewing machine"

Milage , tranny, and year don't seem to be a factor either.
1) my 75k mile 4-speed indy sounds like a gumball machine,
2) my 60k mile 87 auto does
3) my 181k mile auto indy did not
4) my 50k mile auto indy did not
5) my 50k mile 4-speed indy does not

so as you can see, there doesnt seem to be a rime or reason to it, at least with my 4cyls.

P.S. my SD Banshee Turbo Fiero doesnt sounds like anything but a loud beast

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-Monkey

[This message has been edited by FieroMonkey (edited 03-28-2004).]

quote Originally posted by FieroJimmy: Hey, you weren't supposed to notice that!! That's GM's big secret, the 2.5L Iron Duke is actually just a commercial sewing machine hooked up to a transaxle.

ROFLMAO! That gave me a good laugh! Thanks!!

All the Dukes I came across are noisey. There are some exceptions...

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The Dirty Rat
Chopped, dropped and just plain NASTY!
383 Stroker MPFI with N2O
1" Drop
3" Chop
11" Brakes
19" Motegi Roja's wrapped in BFGoodrich Gforce T/A KDW-2 rubber
RCC Coilover Suspension
Updated Jan 21 '04 www.dirtyratracing.org

It all depends on the exhaust. The first esay solution is to hit the wrecking yard and scavenge up a cast iron exhaust manifold from an early 80's buick. Replace your stainless steel manifold with it (direct bolt-in) and you will notice a much lower tone. Then replace the muffler with a free flow unit and you will think you are listening to a V-8.

Actually, if I owned a sewing machine that noisey, I would be very afraid.

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Semper Fi
1. 84 SE auto
2. 84 SE 4 spd

quote Originally posted by Toddster: It all depends on the exhaust. The first esay solution is to hit the wrecking yard and scavenge up a cast iron exhaust manifold from an early 80's buick. Replace your stainless steel manifold with it (direct bolt-in) and you will notice a much lower tone. Then replace the muffler with a free flow unit and you will think you are listening to a V-8.

dont think this is an exaust related noise. it has to do with engine internals

I had one that made the noise particularly loud. One day I changed the oil and had actually commented on how quiet the duke was then running. I didn't make it to work that day...

D'OH!

I took the "Pressed" on gear off with my bare hands, aparantly the keyway was VERY loose. This beat the gear to death.
This is why I'm going with the Quad 4 this time around.

The loudest thing on my duke at idle is the injector clicking. Other than that it reasonbly quiet. I've heard other dukes that rattle like a diesel.

Dave

Not always, I've heard 'em sound like diesels! (Usually burning a lot of oil too)

Do all Dukes sound like a sewing machine? NO

quote Originally posted by FieroMonkey: dont think this is an exaust related noise. it has to do with engine internals

That goes without saying. It is the "transmission" of that noise that is the issue. With thin walled exhaust manifolds you hear every clank and clatter. By going with a cast iron manifold you reduce the audible clakity clak dramatically. The next step is to improve the sound of the exhuast note itself in order to overwhelm the engine's mechanical noise. No significant performance increase comes from this but at least your engine sounds like...an engine.

quote Originally posted by chester: ROFLMAO! That gave me a good laugh! Thanks!! All the Dukes I came across are noisey. There are some exceptions...

Mine doesn't

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hokt on foniks werkd fer me!

No sewing machine mine--The rockers in the stock engine are solid stamped stell(I hope) I replaced mune with roller tiped rockers and will replace those with full roller rockers this summer.

Frank

Oh--Check the torque on the bolts that hold the rockers in--that could be part of the probtem.

You know, it's funny, but mine kinda sounded more like an embroidery machine,
because it would never hold a constant idle.

quote Originally posted by Toddster: It all depends on the exhaust. The first esay solution is to hit the wrecking yard and scavenge up a cast iron exhaust manifold from an early 80's buick. Replace your stainless steel manifold with it (direct bolt-in) and you will notice a much lower tone. Then replace the muffler with a free flow unit and you will think you are listening to a V-8.

Really? That's kinda cool! I was just going to suggest a cherry bomb muffler (illeagal in VA) for a muffler...then it could sound like an old go cart!

quote Originally posted by USFiero: Really? That's kinda cool! I was just going to suggest a cherry bomb muffler (illeagal in VA) for a muffler...then it could sound like an old go cart!

Actually, my dad had an '84 with no muffler, just a cat, and dual exhaust exits (on botj sides, not the split exhaust on one siode of the car ) and it sounded great. When (if) I get my '84 running, I don't plan on running any muffler.

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I can only hear my injector working on my 84. It is a big injector and mounted behind thin tin, on most engines the injector is in an intake manifold and they are much smaller.

Mine is annoying especially at idle until it warms up. This indicates to me that it is likely piston slap as the alloy pistons expand and contract at a different rate than the iron block. These things come with age. When it is warmed up it sounds like a purrrring kitten. There is the less noticable sticky lifter noise and the timing gears too. The gears can sound raspy. For quite timing gears I hear that the original design is better than after market. By the way a new engine direct replacement is now available from AutoZone for $890.00..Makes it a lot easier and quicker than a rebuild.