I've owned my 1979 SA rx-7 with a 12a for a few months now and I though now that I've joined the forum I should get this noise figured out.

Best way to describe the noise is like a supercharger whine but not as loud, it happens in all gears including neutral, get louder with rpm (reving it in neutral makes it get louder) and only stops when the clutch is pressed in. I've checked the transmission oil level (as just a basic first step) and am wondering if anyone knows what the noise might be/what I should do about it. (do 1st gen trans just whine?)

 

stops when the clutch is pushed in usually means clutch or throwout bearing issue. The clutch is always engaged. When you push it in it disengages it.

 

Guess I'll start there then, a throw out bearing should be relatively easy, I won't have to open the transmission and I can look at the clutch while I'm in there. (previous owner said he had just replaced the clutch so I don't think I will need to replace it)

Thanks.

 

don't discount that clutch, pressure plate and flywheel. check the torque on bolts , inspect everything. It could also be the input shaft on the tranny I suppose, which on my T5 (not rotary) can be pulled w/o opening the tranny. but yeah if someone was just in there ...I would start there.

 

in my experience, throw out bearing makes a noise when pressure is applied to it. pushing clutch pedal in or just resting ur foot on the pedal. since the noise stops when pedal is pushed in, all transmission internals stop turning. my guess is bearing or bearings in the transmission.

 

I did some driving / trouble shooting yesterday and It looks like the noise is relating to the input side of the transmission. Foot on the clutch while moving the noise continues until I roll to a stop, on the other hand If I put my foot on the clutch then put it in neutral the noise stops pretty quickly. Looks like I'll have to do an input shaft bearing I hope ATC529R is on the money and I can pull it without splitting the tranny.