I got my car back on the road yesterday, after my block expired on the factory motor we swapped in a freshened up used f20c block. It fired up great and is very quiet and smooth running. I'm doing a short break-in period so I haven't been able to push it very hard yet, kept the rpms down too so no vtec engagement on the first day. The new setup has a new ap2 oil pump, all new bearings and thrust washers, new piston rings, seals, oil jet bolts, ap2 retainers, lapped valves and new valve seals. and my old mugen baffled oil pan.

As part of the new block installation we put in a new clutch (oem disc, ap2 pp, and act 8 lb fly). I don't understand why so many people shy away from lightweight flywheels on this car. The car is very easy to launch with an 8.6 lb fly, it only took me one launch to get used to the difference, after that it doesn't make itself apparent anymore. With an ap2 pp it is very easy to drive.

This is the first time since I've owned the car (bought it used) that I haven't had any mechanical sensation and noise at the clutch engagement point. Prior to this my car always had some mechanical noise and sensation through the clutch, I always disliked it but I just thought it was normal as this car gives off lots of mechanical noise. I'm now thinking that my motor was damaged prior to me purchasing it, when the motor finally expired the noise and sensation got much more pronounced but it was at the same engagement point of the clutch.

With that behind me, I was in the garage last night and my car was giving off moaning noises every few minutes, that lasted about 5 seconds long. It seemed to be coming from the rear of the car, I tried opening the gas cap to relieve pressure but the noises continued. At one time I went outside of the garage with a flashlight looking for an animal but it turned out to be coming from my car lol. My car was sitting on jackstands for 4 months without being run. I did full bleed of the cooling system and it seems to be working well. I figure it is the fuel tank or cooling system but it sounds like it is coming form the rear of the car. I noticed it after the car was shut down and after driving it for about 30 minutes on the first drive. I checked it this morning when fully cold and the noise is gone. I know it isn't anything serious, but any opinions would be cool. thanks.

 

That's great to hear Joey. I hope you get many more years of enjoyment out of yur car.

I don't have anything to offer regarding the moans. Did an animal find a home while the car was idle? Did you look in the trunk for any life forms?

 

Thanks Jack, yeah I hope this is the last engine and tranny dismantling I'll ever have to do on this car, crossing my fingers. Yeah I was thinking there may have been a dead body in the trunk but no such thing, lol. Good news is that the moaning has gone away. I bled the cooling system again today and I filled up with fresh fuel. Thanks for the support.

 

Like

maybe evap system?

 

I can't tell you the source of that noise, but I can say that my car does the same. I often hear it after taking a drive if I'm wandering about the garage or working on the car.

Great to hear you got the car back together!

-Mike

 

Oh good to hear I''m not going crazy, at least not yet, I think it is related to the fuel system , maybe like Starchland stated the EVAP. I have not heard it since the first day of driving though, perhaps not being on the road for a long time had caused it. Thanks for the well wishes.