Loud scary whine after complete engine rebuild

[btslaser]

I just finished installing a completely rebuilt 1FZ-FE engine in my '95 LC. When I started it today for the first time, there was loud scary noise that has me seriously worried... below is the link to a video of the noise.



Any thoughts on what this might be? Three months of work... not what I was hoping for.

Background:
Before starting the engine, I removed the spark plugs and the EFI relay and cranked the engine for several minutes (in 15 seconds bursts). The oil pressure gauge moved to about 1/4 towards the end of the time. I reinstalled the plugs, wires, etc and it fired right up after about 10 seconds of cranking. When it is running it has lots of oil pressure, like 3/4-7/8 of the way up the gauge. I removed the A/C belt and idler pulley as it's bearings where suspect - not the problem. The water pump is new, the alternator is original cleaned up but seemed to spool fine. Not sure about the p/s pump... I believe it's original. I cleaned it up and it seems to work fine, no extra noise when the steering wheel is turned.

I've poured through rebuild threads from ConcreteJungle, sbman, blkprj80, NLXTACY and others to spool up on what to expect and learn. I've followed the FSM to the letter.

The engine was bored, decked, and the crank was balanced. The head was cleaned, valves ground, adjusted, new seals, and decked. It has new 0.5mm OEM pistons, OEM crank/rod bearings, NPR rings, ARP studs, Cometic head gasket, Aisin water pump, timing cover, and oil pump, OEM idle pulley, OEM seals and gaskets on and on.

 

[scottryana]

Wow that is a new one on me!

 

[NLXTACY]

To me it sounds like a wobbly pulley/belt.

 

[LINUS]

I'm only on my ipad, it sounds like the starter engaged/ catching flywheel teeth - and just to toss out there, the belts aren't the serrated type right?

Do the redneck stethoscope, start up front working back to the starter -???

 

[NLXTACY]

On my phone it sounds like an oscillation but not necessarily engine. My money is on an alternator not bolted in or fan clutch not tightened down. Are all the belts nice and tight? Do they vibrate wildly when engine running?

 

[TOMSRYD]

Sounds the the starter not disengaging. ..

 

[scottryana]

It could be starter! Good call. When my 2UZ starter hung it didn't sound quite like that but I could see that being the issue.

 

[btslaser]

I'm only on my ipad, it sounds like the starter engaged/ catching flywheel teeth - and just to toss out there, the belts aren't the serrated type right?

Do the redneck stethoscope, start up front working back to the starter -???

Starter not disengaging that may be it! When I was putting the bolts from the flywheel into the torque converter I noticed a clicking noise when I was turning the engine to align the next bolt. I was going to take off the starter and check it but after cranking the engine without the plugs it was so smooth I talked myself out of it and then forgot about it. Was thinking the flywheel would just push the starter gear out of the way. Stupid...

I will pull the starter tomorrow and check it. Thanks!!!!

 

[NLXTACY]

I just played the sound thru my truck speakers. I could see it being the starter as well. Belts are still a possibility for me

 

[btslaser]

I'm going to order some new belts tomorrow as well. The guy I bought it from said they were just replaced but they felt pretty hard (and are serrated too).

 

[scottryana]

I am going out on a limb but I do not see anyway that can be belt noise. Hell unless they are petrified.

 

[OGBeno]

That's not belt noise.

That sounds like--at best--starter or.

At worst, something on the bottom end not being put together correctly.

This is all pocket pool of course, but who did the work?

 

[LINUS]

On my phone it sounds like an oscillation but not necessarily engine. My money is on an alternator not bolted in or fan clutch not tightened down. Are all the belts nice and tight? Do they vibrate wildly when engine running?

I'm on board with this too if the starter proves good/ not a hung plunger.

I remember buying an armload of NAPA serrated belts a few days after purchase back pre-Mud. We were still on spectre's VBB back then & good god, those belts were she-ite from the minute I turned key. I promptly introduced myself to @cruiserdan before the sun set.

I get that weird ebbing sound too - so a good hands-on shake test & smacking boltheads is good too.

 

[bajaphile]

Before reading any replies, my first hunch was starter not disengaging.... hmm.

 

[Pin_Head]

Power steering pumps can make wierd whining noises.

 

[blkprj80]

I'd guess belts too, but did you bleed the power steering lines when you filled it?

 

[thatcabledude]

Crank it back up and knock the side of the starter with something... Small hammer, crescent wrench, etc.

 

[ton504]

flex plate on correctly w/spacer?

 

[btslaser]

FIXED!!! It was the starter gear rubbing against the flywheel. It now purrs like a kitten. You guys are amazing!!! Thank you!

This morning I removed the starter, took it apart, and re-installed it. I turned the engine by hand and while it was better it still was hitting a few teeth. Guessed my flywheel was slightly bent. I rotated the engine so the low spot was downward and gently pushed/pried it back. That cleared up the last few teeth hitting. I definitely have the flywheel spacer installed, my guess is that the flywheel got slightly bent during install when mating the engine to the trans. That was a pretty tricky process and it took a couple tries. It's pretty flimsy in forward/aft direction. Honestly I'm not sure what was different with the starter after the reinstall because it seemed to retract fine when I first removed it. Perhaps something was hanging up slightly inside and cleared out when I took it apart and cleaned it.

What a huge relief. I did all the work myself with the advice and direction of a friend who does high end Porsche, Ferrari, and show car restores. If it had been something inside the engine it would have been a tough pill to swallow. I plan on posting the engine adventure on mud shortly. Thanks again for your help and prior posts that made it all possible.

Woohoo, onto the suspension build!

 

[sbman]

Glad you figured it out! There's nothing like that first start, and then to have an unknown/surprise issue.... not fun.