Need an engine opinion on a 164 S noise

[adoherty@domain.elided]

Hello, I looked at a 164 S today with decent mileage (65K). It was OK 
mechanically (had alot of recent maintenance etc), and appears from the 
records, at least the recent ones, that it has been maintained regularly and 
properly at a well-known Alfa shop. Anyhow, upon returning from the test drive, 
I noticed that there was a subtle knock in the engine at idle. Very hard to 
tell if it is indeed a rod-knock or just some metallic bits meeting at idle 
speeds (external engine brackets or something). When I brought the engine over 
idle a little bit the noise went away, and didn't appear to increase with rpms 
or get worse. Just a little nervous about needing a $5K engine tab soon after 
buying the car. The owner, and his well-known shop (name withheld) say the 
noise has not gotten better or worse for the last 20K or so miles, and that to 
not worry about it unless it starts to get worse.... I guess my question is, 
given the rather loose diagnostics noted above, how likely is it that I'm just 
looking at a bracket or motor mount or some such needing adjustment, or would a 
rod bearing sound as above. I've looked at another car with a bad rod bearing 
and the knock increased then eventually went away as the rpms increased. Any 
and all help appreciated. 

Adam

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Adam S. Doherty
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
University of Pennsylvania--School of Medicine
360 CRB
415 Curie Blvd
Philadelphia, PA  19104   USA

Phone: 215-898-7806
Fax: 215-898-8780
Email: adoherty@domain.elided
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