Not without lifting the engine. You can disconnect the engine mounts and lift or jack up the engine. Not a fun job, but it can be done. There is a thread on it here on V8, I'll look for it.
No, just the engine mount bolts. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?117544-350-Oil-Pan-Removal&highlight=oil+pan+removal http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?261005-Oil-pan-removal-on-69-350&highlight=oil+pan+removal
To me, this sounds like something outside the engine. If it was the crankshaft or torque converter, why would the sound pick up when the body is rocked?
I was wondering if fluid moving in the converter? Or oil slosh in the pan? I dont understand how something in the pan could end up hitting the crank, or how anything got in there but...
If the engine has a windage tray like the one in the picture. http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=312194&d=1433863984 one of the mountings may have broken loose and is shifting and hitting the crank.
Thatsd be a nice easy problem for me, no converter or bearing to replace. Did stock 69 pans have those? Also i have been poking around for a replacement pan online, does anyone sell a 69 Buick 350 pan?
You can push and pull on the harmonic balancer with a judiciously placed prybar of your choice to see if it move in and out. It will be obvious if the thrust bearing is worn, the spec is .002"-.006". To make the noise, the crank has to move maybe .080" or more.
But do not pry on outer ring ad its only held on by a pressed rubber ring. To suggest prying on it to a inexperienced mechanic isn't the greatest idea .
I used the word "judicious" for a reason. It the OP wants to try this, maybe he can ask about what that means, as well. I guess I'll bow out of this thread and recommend that the OP take it to someone other than internet mechanics who mean well but can't be on the scene to guide his efforts.
Boy is this one a head scratcher. Nice looking car you have & hope you find the cause with an easy fix
Thanks. You know looking at the last half of this vid again, the torque converter does seem to move forward and backward a very slight bit, does it seem normal? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYRD4KxQ23E
That's normal. That is why they call it a flex plate. The converter will move back and forth a small amount. When the flex plate cracks, that is why they make noise.
Motor mounts unbolted, motor hoisted a few inches. Oil pan is off, there is a "windage" tray still there bolted on separate, looks stock, I suppose I should unbolt that but it doe seem secure. ***What I noticed that maybe and I hope is my problem is some loose tranny to engine bell housing bolts. There is a gap of about 1/8 inch where I can see threads on the gap on the bolt farthest to the drivers side. Could this be my cause?
Might be. It could also pull the converter out that much and damage the pump drive tangs or the converter hub. When the flex plate cracks, the converter moves back and forth excessively creating the knocking and ticking noise. The same thing can happen with a gap between the engine and transmission mounting.
I did look for hairline cracks and found none, but the amount to be seen leaves some to be desired while the engine is still hooked up. Think I should drop that "windage tray"?
