Timing Gear

dmaxweb

dmaxweb

Well-known member
I am getting a squealing noise only at idle. It's not the fan belt or the water pump - I took the belt off and started it and the noise is still there.

I used a mechanics stethescope and I hear the sound coming from the timing gear cover. Could this be a worn timing gear?
 
It can't be lack of oil as the majority of the oil dumps from the valve chamber into the timing cover and returns to the dip tray keeping it full for the rod dippers.

Would suggest you remove the timing cover and deturmine the cause of the squeal. Best not to wait until somthing major happens.

Ron
 
Before you take anything apart, check to be sure that your crank pulley is not rubbing on anything, such as any part of the front engine support.

There were some aftermarket "two piece" pressed steel crank pulleys which had the two sides of the pulley riveted together with four rivets. One or two popped rivets would allow the pulley to expand and touch the engine support, causing a devil of a squeak.
 
Ron in Quincy said:
Would suggest you remove the timing cover and deturmine the cause of the squeal. Best not to wait until somthing major happens.

Ron
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X2
Ron is right if you wait it might make its own window :eek:
salt2010.jpg
 
John Butts in CT said:
Before you take anything apart, check to be sure that your crank pulley is not rubbing on anything, such as any part of the front engine support.

There were some aftermarket "two piece" pressed steel crank pulleys which had the two sides of the pulley riveted together with four rivets. One or two popped rivets would allow the pulley to expand and touch the engine support, causing a devil of a squeak.
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This spring I replaced the worn out wobbling 2 piece crank pulley with a new one piece.

The current squeak is a new development and only at idle speed. It sure sounds like it's inside the timing cover. I'll double check the crank pulley though before I take off the front cover. thanks
 
Sounds like we're on the same page, then. I'll be in Williamsburg this weekend, delivering a son to W&M. Do you know Dave Westenberger?
 
dmaxweb said:
I am getting a squealing noise only at idle. It's not the fan belt or the water pump - I took the belt off and started it and the noise is still there.

I used a mechanics stethescope and I hear the sound coming from the timing gear cover. Could this be a worn timing gear?
Click to expand...

Noise is a funny thing, sometimes it shows up far from the real source. Sometimes a whistle sounds like a squeel and vice versa. In the case you describe I would try oiling the distributor shaft for one and looking for a vacuum leak at the carburetor or manifold. If you have a tillotson carburetor, wrap a piece of masking tape around the intake to carburetor flange to make a positive seal as a test.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Rainmaker Ron
 
Rainmaker Ron said:
Noise is a funny thing, sometimes it shows up far from the real source. Sometimes a whistle sounds like a squeel and vice versa. In the case you describe I would try oiling the distributor shaft for one and looking for a vacuum leak at the carburetor or manifold. If you have a tillotson carburetor, wrap a piece of masking tape around the intake to carburetor flange to make a positive seal as a test.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Rainmaker Ron
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Oiled the distributor and could not find any vacuum leaks. I checked with stethascope again and the noise is definitely loudest at the recess in the front timing cover. I'm leaning towards the cam thrust plunger. I'm going to take off the cover. Pretty simple process and I can check for any other problems while open.
 
if you compare the original thrust plunger springs to the present reproductions, the new ones are about 3/4ths of the original length. They do not provide enough pressure to stop a plunger in a worn bore from spinning. Once you have the cover off, check to insure the face of the camshaft is smooth and that the plunger is not excessively worn. Any small burrs will catch the plunger and rotate it. I've had to have a few worn plunger bores reamed and have a bushing installed. If you can find an original spring in good condition, it will work better than the repros.
 
pat in Santa Cruz said:
if you compare the original thrust plunger springs to the present reproductions, the new ones are about 3/4ths of the original length. They do not provide enough pressure to stop a plunger in a worn bore from spinning. Once you have the cover off, check to insure the face of the camshaft is smooth and that the plunger is not excessively worn. Any small burrs will catch the plunger and rotate it. I've had to have a few worn plunger bores reamed and have a bushing installed. If you can find an original spring in good condition, it will work better than the repros.
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I'll guess I will find out tonight. Is it possible that the current plunger could just be worn and the spring might be OK? If I rebore the old plunger, or a new plunger, and press in a bushing should the spring fit tight inside the bushing or should there be clearance? I realize that the size of the bushing OD depends on the bore ID but what size bushing should I start with? A Bratton's part # would be great.
Thanks
 
I think a previous owner of one of the engines I bought last week may have had a simular probem as the added a grease zerk in the block in the area of the timing gear. Unforunately this was a bad idea and they got abit carried away with the grease to the point that the oil was thickened and niow has a very thick greasy sludge on the dipstick. I am not looking forward to tearing that one down as I have a feeling it is going to be a real mess inside. Rod
 
While I think you are on the right track with the plunger,give the pulley a squirt of oil at the seal when it is running and squealing.I have had new pulleys that were too tight against the old seals and would make strange noises until they were burned in.
 
I had a similar noise at first and it turned out to be the front motor mount where it passes through the cross-member. I added an oile leather disc and never heard from it again.
 
Have Dave or Ed Case take a look at your car. As pointed out there are a number of possible sources for the noise. Dave or Ed should be able to give you first hand information; and it can be done while checking the car in person.
 
Farrell In Vancouver said:
I had a similar noise at first and it turned out to be the front motor mount where it passes through the cross-member. I added an oile leather disc and never heard from it again.
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PROBLEM SOLVED!

I took the nut off of the front motor mount stud that passes through the cross member. When the brass bushing came off, a small square nut fell out. It was worn down and shiney on one side. It must have been wedged between the motor mount stud and the cross member causing the squeeling sound.

Instead of putting the brass bushing back in, I used a 'slice' of a modern rubber shock bushing and a flat washer then spring and castle nut. Also rubbed a small amount of grease on the motor mount springs.

Seems like so many times it's the little things that drive you crazy.
 
Glad you found it! I thought the noise sounded familiar in description. I like your fix as well. As I said I used a piece of leather that I just oil up every now and then. Your fix sounds permanent and oil free.
Now where's that other rattle coming from.......oh and the chirping noise.........and that mysterious groan when turning left.




Never mind it was just the wife!
 
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