Transmission Tapping Problem
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From: NYC
Transmission Tapping Problem
Hi There!
I have a 1980 Ford F-150 with a 302 and a 3-speed automatic transmission with a shift kit that was rebuilt about 4 years ago.
I was driving my truck home yesterday on about a 100 mile journey, and close to home I got caught in traffic. After a while I started hearing tapping that increased as I increased my speed. I got of the expressway, and pulled into a parking lot, put it into park, and then it seemed to stop. I waited a few minutes, and decided to get back on a local road, and it started again. there was also alot of traffic, and I noticed that my engine was quite warm, over 200. I let the engine cool, and drove again, and the sound, after a while re-appeared.
Today, I started the truck, and it drove fine for about 45 minutes, and as I got home it started tapping again, it will tap in park, drive, and reverse. I don't think the sound is coming from the engine, which I had rebuilt about the same time as the tranny. Will the transmission have to be rebuilt, or is there something else I might be able to do to fix this?
I have a 1980 Ford F-150 with a 302 and a 3-speed automatic transmission with a shift kit that was rebuilt about 4 years ago.
I was driving my truck home yesterday on about a 100 mile journey, and close to home I got caught in traffic. After a while I started hearing tapping that increased as I increased my speed. I got of the expressway, and pulled into a parking lot, put it into park, and then it seemed to stop. I waited a few minutes, and decided to get back on a local road, and it started again. there was also alot of traffic, and I noticed that my engine was quite warm, over 200. I let the engine cool, and drove again, and the sound, after a while re-appeared.
Today, I started the truck, and it drove fine for about 45 minutes, and as I got home it started tapping again, it will tap in park, drive, and reverse. I don't think the sound is coming from the engine, which I had rebuilt about the same time as the tranny. Will the transmission have to be rebuilt, or is there something else I might be able to do to fix this?
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From: NYC
Maybe not the transmission?
I was talking with my girlfriend, and I realized that I had just refilled my tank at a gas station probably less than 10 miles before the problem started. Could bad gas cause such loud tapping? (satanic gas?)
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From: Virginia
Detonation or pinging usually happens more when the engine is under load. I would pull the inspection cover off the flexplate area, and make sure the nuts that hold the torque convertor to the flexplate are tight.
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From: NYC
I checked the nuts on the torque converter, and they are all tight. The tapping does kinda sound like it did come from that area though. I started the truck again today, and it runs fine when cold. Seems like it happens only when it is good and hot for a while. I put some octaine booster in the tank, and I'll take it out for a spin to see if that makes a difference. When I fueled up last time, I used regular gas, and I normally do use mid-grade.
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From: NYC
Nope! Same difference. I pulled the starter and checked it- had a tuff time working around the headers- it was fine, no shavings, etc. I also gave a close look at the flexplate- turning the crank with a breakerbar from underneath. there did seem to be some rubbing on the counterweight of the flexplate, but I'm not shure that would account for the loud, hollow ,tapping I'm hearing, besides why all of a sudden? I'm about ready to admit defeat, and take it to a mechanic, something I haven't done in years. From my experience most give you a line of bull****, charge 100's of dollars for new parts, and you are left with the same proplem!-- A friend suggested that I drive it like I stole it-- and it will either go away, or break properly so you know what's really wrong with it!
