Thread: Fixing a strange engine noise and then some

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Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

well your not using a ford box ? msd box ? all the msd s i used and that s many some were i was told to use 035 to 045 this is more to keep the plugs from blowing out with hi cr .opening up the plug gap your trying to do what? better burn. building more coil out put . spark dwell time ? and use a finite tip plug$$ that will do zip for you ?? with the msd you have this is multiple spark. no need to open up the gap but i could be way wrong but it works for me

Pat - just for the heluvit, did a google using these terms, "Effect of spark plug gaps". My suggestion on that, unless you really need to be confused, don't. Use what works for you. But after reading through it - your figures are good, but mostly for high compression and/or blown - turbo engines. What I did find is that no one really has a clue!!! Even the plug companies don't agree. Most did agree that big gaps will 'test the secondary' wiring. What I'm gong to do is reduce the gap to say .045/.048 and give that a try. I'll also keep the fairly low mileage take out plugs for more experimentation - if for no other reason then to play around to see if going one way or another makes any difference. Thanks for 'pushing' me to think

yep ok please report back on the plugs (: .i seen what happens with really big plug gaps damn lite show at night

FIXED !!!!!

The Crane/Ford Racing 1.7 roller rockers were the culprit. Why? I know that roller rockers can click some, but these were beyond a click. They only have a few thousand quiet miles(2-3K), when removed, no slop, absolutely no sign of wear. Installed the brand new, as supplied in the crate engine, stamped steel OEMs after a further run with the rollers. Oh well, someone will want them at a reasonable price

I haven't installed my new plugs yet - the .045 gauge wire is broken but I did regap the take outs at an ~ .048 with feelers. Seems to start easier. Don't know about performance yet, a ride is to follow this weekend sometime

i tell you why i think they make more sound .when guys go roller rocker arm there is a shaft in the rocker with a bearing on each side with a polly nut in the center rocker body can smack the polly nut and bag around more then the steel stamp shoe rocker ball or the pivot point like many fords and others that do not use the ball. it seams to cut down on the valve train sound .i tell guys that they are going to hear more valve train sound with roller rockers stud mounted and roller cam s HYD retro will added to the sound

crane golds 1.7 with 7/16 stud ? if so same as the bbc .i may have a interest in them

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

crane golds 1.7 with 7/16 stud ? if so same as the bbc .i may have a interest in them

Unfortunately, not anything that you can use on a BBC. 5/16, I believe, bolt down/pedestal - I didn't modify my GT40P heads like I would have now.

Hey Dave, just checking to see how that test drive worked out....hope you're back on the road leaving a few tire marks in your neighborhood! LOL!

Randy

Originally Posted by randyr

Hey Dave, just checking to see how that test drive worked out....hope you're back on the road leaving a few tire marks in your neighborhood! LOL!

Randy

Randy - just waiting for the engine to cool, still has some 'strange noises' tho did manage to terrify the next door neighbor when my big, wide soled sneaker got caught between the brake and loud pedal and left a 10" wide by 20 foot long patch in my driveway. I have a narrow soled sneaker I normally wear and was just too lazy to change+.

Adios to a tranquil and domestic suburban neighborhood

Originally Posted by IC2

Randy - just waiting for the engine to cool, still has some 'strange noises' tho did manage to terrify the next door neighbor when my big, wide soled sneaker got caught between the brake and loud pedal and left a 10" wide by 20 foot long patch in my driveway. I have a narrow soled sneaker I normally wear and was just too lazy to change+.

Adios to a tranquil and domestic suburban neighborhood

i knew a guy that did that same thing shot his 37 ford coup threw the side of his cinder block shop foot was stuck

Originally Posted by IC2

Randy - just waiting for the engine to cool, still has some 'strange noises' tho did manage to terrify the next door neighbor when my big, wide soled sneaker got caught between the brake and loud pedal and left a 10" wide by 20 foot long patch in my driveway. I have a narrow soled sneaker I normally wear and was just too lazy to change+.

Adios to a tranquil and domestic suburban neighborhood

Well, I hope you have a really long driveway or at least had the car pointed to the street! It would really suck to end up like Pat's friend with the '37!

As for the tranquil neighborhood, a little "wake-up call" once in a while is good for them!

As I recall, you said you're well-endowed at the ends of your legs and foot-space in a roadster is in short supply......have you considered hand controls??

I guess Mama's gonna have you out there scrubbing that rubber off the driveway, right?

Hope you figure out the "strange noises." Any clues where to look next?

Originally Posted by randyr

Well, I hope you have a really long driveway or at least had the car pointed to the street! It would really suck to end up like Pat's friend with the '37!

As for the tranquil neighborhood, a little "wake-up call" once in a while is good for them!

As I recall, you said you're well-endowed at the ends of your legs and foot-space in a roadster is in short supply......have you considered hand controls??

I guess Mama's gonna have you out there scrubbing that rubber off the driveway, right?

Hope you figure out the "strange noises." Any clues where to look next?

The driveway is about 150 feet long - my home has a basement drive out 3rd garage stall, illegal by today's building codes, but I push the car outside, never starting it inside. I need to drive across my lawn, up a short grade. I just got onto the drive and shifted my butt end for a better seat position - aw sugar - my foot went between the brake and gas and off we went. Gotta admit - it WAS fun!! Those marks - a bucket of driveway sealer - but nahhhh, it's a 'mark' of never growing up

Strange noises - going to do one more preload check on the lifters and if there is no joy, will be doing a full engine tear down though will do a converter check per Jerry' suggestion tho I did a quick look over the winter. I was going to NSRA York, but would rather spend my time and $$ fixing the car plus the weather is forecast for rain, possibly clearing for the PM, but more rain on Sunday. Not a fun 350 mile ride

Originally Posted by IC2

The driveway is about 150 feet long - my home has a basement drive out 3rd garage stall, illegal by today's building codes, but I push the car outside, never starting it inside. I need to drive across my lawn, up a short grade. I just got onto the drive and shifted my butt end for a better seat position - aw sugar - my foot went between the brake and gas and off we went. Gotta admit - it WAS fun!! Those marks - a bucket of driveway sealer - but nahhhh, it's a 'mark' of never growing up

Strange noises - going to do one more preload check on the lifters and if there is no joy, will be doing a full engine tear down though will do a converter check per Jerry' suggestion tho I did a quick look over the winter. I was going to NSRA York, but would rather spend my time and $$ fixing the car plus the weather is forecast for rain, possibly clearing for the PM, but more rain on Sunday. Not a fun 350 mile ride

rain yep we have some of that . had to turn the heat back on in the house and my shop less then a week ago i was looking for the house fan i use in the front room. it was so hot .now i am looking for snow ? before you get to far in the engine unhook the pcv valve off then plug line just to test. if you have one. take it out of the system .i was fooled by one time made noise like a bad front pump bearing or bad stall

Just out of curiosity, Dave.... Gave you tried taking the drive belts off to make sure it's not some funny noise in the accessories that is transferring into the engine?????


PS--Please don't ask how I learned to check noises this way.......

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Just out of curiosity, Dave.... Gave you tried taking the drive belts off to make sure it's not some funny noise in the accessories that is transferring into the engine?????


PS--Please don't ask how I learned to check noises this way.......

Dave - when I changed the alt bracket this past winter, I did check to see if the water pump(a $tewart) and alternator were smooth and they are plus put $32 worth of new Gates/Napa belts on at the same time

What I did today was to reinstall my 1.7 roller rockers, go through the Crane sequence of adjusting the lifter preload which is putting the lifters on the camshaft base circle then torquing to 20 lb ft after first contact(a royal PITA project). I also checked the actual amount of preload and while it was a quick and dirty method, am at about the optimum of +/- .030-.040 (.010-.060). It seems to be pretty quiet unless the 900 rpm idle drops to almost stall speed, then the engine goes into what sounds like a heavy ping/detonation. I played with the carb - and while it had a minor internal clean out, the right idle screw does nothing. It's almost like a vacuum leak is leaning the mixture to detonation. Since it's raining today, wasn't going to take it for a ride, but it appears like I also have a carb problem - so am about to 'donate' a few more bucks to Summit or Auto Zone and will rebuild my spare E-brock 1405.

More fun coming tomorrow

Pat, that PCV is a fancy Billet Specialties with brand new innards last fall, and doesn't seem to rattle nor did the last.

And yes, Dave, I sure do know what noises a drive belt and accessories can make

Dang this is a fun hobby (usually)

Well, good to hear I'm not the only one that has ever overlooked the obvious!!!!!

Least you were smart enough to check the accessories first!!!!!!!!