Engine noise this doesn't sound good!!

DeBordEngineMan

DeBordEngineMan

Senior Member
Hello guys me again with a brand spanking new problem....the dreaded engine noise well I drove the Tudor for a round test trip Saturday of about 8 miles and she overheated you can read about that in another post but know I have heard a sharp single "ping" sound about every 30 sec.or so it does it when the engine warms and also does it sometimes when you jab the throttle quick and then let off just one single "ping" no more no less it also sounds like it is in front of the motor but not for sure. I did contact a Model A engine builder and his thought was that the spring and plunger in behind the timing cover was broken or gotten weak or the spring at the bottom of the oil pump was broken or weak also I am not trying to downgrade his answers but has anyone had this same sound. I know that a sound is hard to describe like this and the engine builders advice what to look for sounds right, so this is where I will start looking for the problem, anybody else have any suggestions? If this not the problem. Thanks Robert DeBord
 
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The spark lever is pulled down all the way this sounds like a metal spring popping or something don't know for sure but you can tell it is something binding then releasing.
 
If timed correctly, all the way down on the lever is 40 degrees BTDC spark advance.This is too much advance and can cause pinging and is hard on the bearings. About 1/2 way down gives 25-28 degrees and should work better for you.

Good luck on your project
 
Try adjusting the spark lever position, all these engines are a bit different.. But for normal 'puttering around' the 9 or 10 o'clock position seems about best.. Mine will not spark knock in any position or under any condition, but, it does not like to be run with the lever beyond half..
 
Another spring you may consider is the one holding the distributor drive gear in place. If it is not clear of the shaft it can come in contact with it and make noise and wear the shaft and spring.
 
Possibly thermal expansion snapping at some exhaust bolted point, like the muffler clamp, or the bolted heat transfer surface between the int/exh manifolds, or the thick cup washers that hold the manifolds to the side studs. It could also be a water pump with a lot of back-forth play occasionally slapping against the shaft stop inside the head.
 
DeBordEngineMan said:
Hello guys me again with a brand spanking new problem....the dreaded engine noise well I drove the Tudor for a round test trip Saturday of about 8 miles and she overheated you can read about that in another post but know I have heard a sharp single "ping" sound about every 30 sec.or so it does it when the engine warms and also does it sometimes when you jab the throttle quick and then let off just one single "ping" no more no less it also sounds like it is in front of the motor but not for sure. I did contact a Model A engine builder and his thought was that the spring and plunger in behind the timing cover was broken or gotten weak or the spring at the bottom of the oil pump was broken or weak also I am not trying to downgrade his answers but has anyone had this same sound. I know that a sound is hard to describe like this and the engine builders advice what to look for sounds right, so this is where I will start looking for the problem, anybody else have any suggestions? If this not the problem. Thanks Robert DeBord
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thank you for a new problem.
 
Could also be a crack starting to form in a fan blade and it is getting close to throwing it off!

Inspect it closely before watching the engine with the hood open!
 
Patrick L. said:
Try adjusting the spark lever position, all these engines are a bit different.. But for normal 'puttering around' the 9 or 10 o'clock position seems about best.. Mine will not spark knock in any position or under any condition, but, it does not like to be run with the lever beyond half..
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Timing is Not correct if it won't run with the spark lever down. Model A's with retarded timing will have poor throttle response,will be lacking power and will overheat .
 
Well hopefully I found the noise today I started with the oil pump, changed oil and felt up in the drain to see if the pump was lose or the spring was broke it was fine. But as I was getting out from under the car I pushed on one of the engine pans for support and it "popped" just like the sound I had heard. One bolt next to the timing cover had backed off a little to let the corner slide out partially and the flange was popping on the bolt as I gave the engine fuel the torque would move the engine slightly and "pop", finished changing oil and placed a large washer on the bolt and pulled it up tight. Ran the car for close to 20 to 30 minutes off and on at different times and no more noise! Crossing my fingers could it be so a easy a find? Hope this was it will just have to keep an eye or should I say an ear out for it. Thanks for all the suggestions, Robert DeBord
 
Purdy Swoft said:
Timing is Not correct if it won't run with the spark lever down. Model A's with retarded timing will have poor throttle response,will be lacking power and will overheat .
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I have also heard that this can cause undue wear on the rear main, leading to premature failure. I read that here once, but I can't remember if it was refudiated.
 
700rpm said:
I have also heard that this can cause undue wear on the rear main, leading to premature failure. I read that here once, but I can't remember if it was refudiated.
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Yes, especially when they lug the engine. I have seen some go as far as skipping second gear and the funny thing is they think that they are taking care of their model A.
 
Timing is Not correct if it won't run with the spark lever down. Model A's with retarded timing will have poor throttle response,will be lacking power and will overheat .[end quote]
The timing is correct.. The engine will run with the lever pulled down, but, it doesn't like it.. It has power and doesn't overheat..
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Im having a similar problem. When I start mine and as it warms it goes clunk clunk clunk clunk until the engine warms up a little it stops and some times ill hear a clunk clunk but very rarely after its warm. I sort of feel like my rear main bearings gone but idk.
 
Ping like the engine pans hey? So are they starting to tear at the bends yet? That's normal. Too thin to weld or braze. I had to drill a few 1/16" holes and wire mine back a long the tear to shape. Than I epoxied putty right over the wire and holes. Sanded smooth and painted them semi gloss black Rustoleum.
Short 1/4"-20 bolts from top-o-frame down through the pan with flat and lock washers and square nuts. I cut my own long and narrow washers for the engine oil pan side. These actually do have a function. They help cool the engine and it's compartment. Plus keep the area clean and can help keep a slug of dirt from going up the carb.

I run an Air Maze filter can but no paper element. Just a wire mesh in place of the paper filter. No model 'A' carb will run right with a paper element in the Air Maze can.

skip.
 
700rpm said:
I have also heard that this can cause undue wear on the rear main, leading to premature failure. I read that here once, but I can't remember if it was refudiated.
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There was a service bulletin about this. Pans can make all kinds of horrifying sounds.
 
I don't really notice a difference between the metal or paper air filters.. But, I also use an in-line fuel filter which some fellas say won't work..
 
1928Pickuppain said:
Im having a similar problem. When I start mine and as it warms it goes clunk clunk clunk clunk until the engine warms up a little it stops and some times ill hear a clunk clunk but very rarely after its warm. I sort of feel like my rear main bearings gone but idk.
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That is what my sedan sounded like. I tried retiming and taking up the rod bearings; but finally I pulled the engine and tore it down. The rear main was shattered. Clunk clunk clunk clunk is not the right sound for a Model A engine at any time.
 
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