I think Dan may be on to something. The sound seems like it could be a
resonance-induced vibration. I have a newish GoWesty muffler that is kind
of loud at certain engine speeds. Will investigate further...

On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 11:31 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a friend with a Syncro westy with rattling noise quite similar
> yours... it's the exhaust pipe that hit the engine guard rail
>
> On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 11:20 AM, Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> My '87 Syncro is experiencing a noise emanating from the transmission
>> area.
>> It does not sound like it's internal to the transmission, it's not a gear
>> whine sound. I would describe the sound as rotational vibration sound. I
>> do
>> not feel the vibration, just hear it. The sound occurs only when I let off
>> the gas and coast, as when approaching a turn or going down a slight hill.
>> The sound will go away if I accelerate. It will also go away if I push in
>> the clutch pedal.
>>
>> The transmission does have a driveshaft decoupler. The sound is unaffected
>> by whether the driveshaft is coupled or decoupled. It also made no
>> difference when I removed the driveshaft altogether.
>>
>> Suggestions as to what might be causing this sound?  I'm guessing it could
>> be a throw out bearing or something else in the bell housing.
>>
>> -Mark
>> Seattle WA
>> 1987 Syncro Westfalia
>>
>
>