Transmission noise question

[nail pounder]

I've already done a search but don't see what I'm looking for. I have a stock '58, 235, 3 on the tree, had it a month or 2. Haven't done much driving, mostly cleaning and getting it road worthy. So today my daughter and I spent the day driving it. I'm hearing a loud, high pitched (almost squeeking but not) noise when I floor it in any gear, at any rpm. If I just cruise normally it doesn't happen, it seems like a trans noise. If I just rev the engine it won't do it. I checked fluid level, it's good. I also have clutch chatter in 1st unless I get on the gas but that seems unrelated. Any thoughts? Here's a pic from the grocery store, we had a lot of fun cruising it around today.

[mr48chev]

I'd think that maybe you have a bearing in the trans that is making the noise under a load. There are also a couple of bushings that may be causing the noise.

A bearing and small part kit for that trans isn't too spendy and most of it is fairly easy to do outside of pressing the bearing on the input shaft and possibly pressing a couple of bushings.

[Foot Stomper]

Had a turbo 400 make noise (behind a 455 with dual gate) on wot and later discovered a bolt/screw was touching the case... Perhaps the body is contacting drive train under wot?
Just spit balling...

[nail pounder]

Thanks for the advice, I'll crawl around under it tomorrow and see if it's something simple like a bolt or anything touching it Stomper. Mr 48, if it is a bearing I suppose that would be a good time to do the clutch as well, in the meantime, am I causing any real damage just by driving it to coffee or whatever on the weekend till I get the parts and time to install them?

[Speedbumpauto]

Do the rpm's come up at all when you floor it? That's a classic sound of a slipping clutch if you have quiet enough exhaust to hear it. The torque overcomes what's left of the clutch. Easy test if you're careful is put the front against something strong, like a telephone pole, put the trans in 3rd gear, rev the engine up some and start letting the clutch out. If it hesitates trying to kill the engine, you found your problem. As always, take care when performing any back yard test.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

A restricted exhaust system can cause a noise like that. I agree with Speedbump , it could be a slipping clutch.

[1project2many]

I'd want a description of how the noise sounds... "Wheet, wheet, wheet" that gets faster and louder with acceleration? Or constant squeel? If it changes with rpm, does it follow engine (changes faster in first than third) or does it follow vehicle speed? Does it get worse if you turn on lights or if the engine is hot / cold?

Some other related questions: Does the throttle have to be all the way to the floor or is it just under heavy load? Does the speedometer needle work smoothly or does it bounce? Does your truck have a stock aircleaner? Does your truck have a manual choke? Have you recently adjusted the brakes?

[starterman99]

Check your drive shaft ujoints.

[nail pounder]

Thanks for all the advise, I haven't been under it yet today, Sunday with the family, but my daughter and I took it to coffee and a drive. Seems to be under load only. If I drive at a steady, moderate pace, no noise. If I bog it in second rather than full stop to downshift it will make the sqeal, and it's a constant sound unless I let up on the gas. It almost sounds like a belt slipping but it's not that. I will check ujoints, I don't believe the clutch is slipping, I've had that happen in my past on a different vehicle.

[chevyguyase]

I don't remember when these trucks went to key start. If your truck is key start you may have a broken starter Bendix spring. When you accelerate the teeth of the Bendix will contact the moving flywheel.