High-pitch whistle when accelerating

[zaugger]

Hey folks...newbie here. My '29 Model A makes a high pitch whistling noise when I am accelerating in 3rd gear. It doesn't ALWAYS happen, and it doesn't have anything to do with speed. It comes in and out as I put pressure on the accelerator, then will fade when I coast. Anyone have this weird thing happen?

Chris

 

[Gary WA]

Welcome!! Could be the carbwhistling?

 

[Jim/GA]

Hey folks...newbie here. My '29 Model A makes a high pitch whistling noise when I am accelerating in 3rd gear. It doesn't ALWAYS happen, and it doesn't have anything to do with speed. It comes in and out as I put pressure on the accelerator, then will fade when I coast. Anyone have this weird thing happen?

Chris

Chris-
I have heard leaking exhaust manifold gaskets whistle, but instead of coming and going with throttle position, they usually get worse with RPM increase.

I have heard intake manifold to carb gaskets whistle, but they usually get worse when you are at speed and you take your foot off the throttle (intake manifold vacuum really shoots up).

Whistles that get worse with more load on the engine (open throttle more in 3rd gear) are often a head gasket going bad. The high pressure gases squirting out though the gasket make the noise.

So I'd say check the head gasket. Check for combustion gases in the coolant. Do a compression test.

Good luck.

 

[zaugger]

Thanks, guys! Here's the interesting thing. The whistle happens for a while, but then when I get to high speeds they cease. And it definitely happens when I accelerate. Hmmm...

 

[CT Jack]

Try retorquing the head (50-55 #-ft) cold and the 4 exhaust manifold bolts.

 

[Wick]

Check the vacuum line for the wiper motor.

 

[marty in Ohio]

A friend had this happen when he had a bad gasket between the exhaust manifold and the carb. Easy fix.

Marty

 

[marty in Ohio]

Sorry, that should have been between the INTAKE manifold and the carb.
Marty

 

[burner31]

Can you identify the tune the car is whistling ?

"Please excuse my exhaust " by Fatman Blue and the oyster chokers
"I can't intake you anymore" by Ben Dover and the Screamers
"Head below my feet" by the Young Eunuchs
"Don't eat the carbs" by Fishing with bricks

 

[zaugger]

Try retorquing the head (50-55 #-ft) cold and the 4 exhaust manifold bolts.

Thanks for the suggestion. Are you aware any torque specs on the exhaust manifold bolts?

Chris

 

[Jacksonlll]

The book says 45, but that's wrong. Get up to 35 and you should be good.

 

[Dave in MN]

Sorry, that should have been between the INTAKE manifold and the carb.
Marty

I have seen the same twice: A leak between the carb and the intake manifold.
Good Day!

 

[zaugger]

The book says 45, but that's wrong. Get up to 35 and you should be good.

Thanks!

 

[rocket1]

Might be the police officer behind you,A sense of humor is a necessity when you own a model A,hope you solve the problem.