Tapping sound from right front side of engine on 86 Mondial 3.2

A loose ring of a crankshaft driver gear or the timing bearing roller...

 

If you are lucky, just a v-belt (slapping) noise or an exhaust leak (like a cracked exhaust sampling tube, cracked air injection manifold, or cracked/loose exhaust manifold). "Going away" might be a good sign as something mechanically terrible usually doesn't "go away" ever .

 

Hmm... that does sound more metallic than the accessory belts. Almost like the clutch bearings in the AC compressor.... that would be my guess. If it was cold out and you hear the noise and as it warms up it goes away - then I would say the belts - Accessory belts not cam belts... are getting old and dry, time for new ones. Try turning on the AC and see if the noise increases or goes away.... Pretty sure its not a Cam issue.

 

Automotive stethoscopes are so cheap there is no reason not to have one. With the probe removed the hose makes a remarkably good directional microphone. It will help pinpoint the noise location.

 

If its a belt, spraying water on it with a spray bottle will usually make it go away for a few seconds.

But cracked/broken sampling tubes are usually top of the hit parade.

 

My 86 Mondial 3.2 coupe does exactly the same thing on cold start. Goes away in 30-60 seconds.

Was diagnosed as accessory belt noise.

 

I had a similar tapping issue on mine a while back. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty lifter. Have you checked the valve lifters or the oil level recently? A quick look and a little top-up did the trick for me. If it persists, might be worth having a look at the camshaft as well. Of course, I'm not a mechanic, but those steps did the job for me.

 

Mondials do not have hydraulic lifters.

 

You have Valve lifters in your Ferrari?

 

All Ferraris have had valve lifters since rocker arms went out with the 2 cam 365's. Some are hydraulic starting with the 355. Others are mechanical. The Mondials are mechanical.

 

Mechanical valve lifters = buckets and shims requiring regular adjustments
Hydraulic valve lifters = oil pressure actuated buckets needing zero adjustment

 

cant we use the right term Camshaft vs. Valve Lifter...

 

I have no idea what you are trying to say. We are using correct terms.