Clatter...common?

[Birdoprey]

Got another question. I've got a 90 MTX SHO with 156K mi on it. When its running it has a clatter that i'm having trouble locating. Its motor related and is much worse when engine is cold, but is still noticable when fully warm. Car runs fine and this noise has'nt gotten noticable worse in the 20K mi i've owned it. When reving the engine(in neutral or while accelerating) it gets worse and quietens down as the revs comedown(after letting off). I've heared that forged pistons can cause "piston slap" til they warm up but NEVER experianced it in my 5.0L T-bird(in its 320hp N/A trim OR 510hp S/C trim), or in a 550hp N/A 440 i built for a friend). I'm wondering if it may be the timing chains? Has anyone experianced this? Is this something common, or???
Any help is appreciated!

 

[sdpatt]

Have you ever had the valve gaps adjusted? This preventative maintenance service is scheduled for 60,000 mile intervals.

 

[Birdoprey]

sdpatt:
Have you ever had the valve gaps adjusted? This preventative maintenance service is scheduled for 60,000 mile intervals.

Hmmm...not since 123K, i know for sure! I doubt that the previous owner did it either. Is there anyone in the Dallas area that can do the 60K? What does it include and what is the going rate for having it done? I doubt that any service has been done to my car other than plugs/wires and waterpump. Its got almost 160K...

 

[shomaster]

Just for the heck of it, see if your heat shield is loose.

 

[Birdoprey]

shomaster:
Just for the heck of it, see if your heat shield is loose.

Heh! Funny you mention that, i pulled three of them off this past weekend cuz they were loose!
The noise i'm refering to is definatly internal motor related though. Not 100%, but i believe its 1/2 crank speed which would narrow it down to timing chains or valve adjustment.

 

[sdpatt]

Yes, I do valve gappings in the Dallas area. I would actually be curious to see a SHO valvetrain after 160,000 miles without any service. I will email you privately regarding the cost.

Scott

 

[sdpatt]

Since we are on the subject of maintenance, how long since the timing belt has been replaced. That is another 60,000 mile service on the 3.0L SHO engine. Was the belt changed with the water pump (since you should take the belt off to replace the water pump)?

Scott

 

[Birdoprey]

Scott,

I bought the car from a used car dealer here in town. The day he got it he had someone put a waterpump on it. I doubt very seriously that they replaced the timing belt. This was at 121K...