The Ford Barn

CWilson · 11-10-2014, 08:23 PM

I am new to the forum, and have been reading threads for the past few months. I have a question I can't seem to find the answer to by searching previous posts. I am getting a strong (and loud) vibration from under the truck somewhere around the transmission area. I cant tell where the sound is coming from because I cant get the rpms up while laying under the truck. It also doesn't help that I've never driven another Model A other then my own so I don't know if the noise/vibration is normal or out of whack. You guys seem to know everything about these and maybe this is a common problem. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Patrick L. · 11-10-2014, 08:34 PM

I'll assume that checked everything external around the area of the noise.

It seems as though you may have a bad u-joint.

RonC · 11-10-2014, 08:34 PM

if you push in the clutch does the noise vibration go away?

700rpm · 11-10-2014, 08:45 PM

Simple fix. Don't drive 50 mph. You're overdriving your brakes and your headlights anyway. If you want to go fast, get in your modern car.

CWilson · 11-10-2014, 08:50 PM

Yes, the noise goes away. Vibration is linked to rpms

glenn in camino · 11-10-2014, 08:50 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I'll assume that checked everything external around the area of the noise.

It seems as though you may have a bad u-joint.

U-joint sounds like a possibility. First, pump lots of grease into it and drive it to see if that made any difference. Check Les Andrew's book for instructions on how to remove it if necessary. Happened to me once on a 34 Ford V8. Good luck.

CWilson · 11-10-2014, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I'll assume that checked everything external around the area of the noise.

It seems as though you may have a bad u-joint.

I cant get the rpms up high enough to make the noise while I'm laying under the truck. I read where someone said the muffler clamp can cause noise from vibration?

Patrick L. · 11-10-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWilson

I cant get the rpms up high enough to make the noise while I'm laying under the truck. I read where someone said the muffler clamp can cause noise from vibration?

Yep, you're right. The clamp can be a problem. I was thinking you checked it. The clamp should be left a bit loose. So, I wrap the pipe with asbestos cloth or similar material so the pipe to clamp is tight but still a little loose to the frame. But, not loose enough to rattle. Make sense ?

CWilson · 11-10-2014, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Simple fix. Don't drive 50 mph. You're overdriving your brakes and your headlights anyway. If you want to go fast, get in your modern car.

Not really that helpful. I asked a question because there could be a problem with the vehicle. I drive 45 mph to and from work. The noise is at its loudest at 50 mph. Or I could take your advise and ignore the problem, and drive slower so i don't hear the problem and hope it doesn't cause a major failure. Thanks

CWilson · 11-10-2014, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Yep, you're right. The clamp can be a problem. I was thinking you checked it. The clamp should be left a bit loose. So, I wrap the pipe with asbestos cloth or similar material so the pipe to clamp is tight but still a little loose to the frame. But, not loose enough to rattle. Make sense ?

Yes, thank you. I will try that tomorrow.

Drive Shaft Dave · 11-10-2014, 09:10 PM

Motor mount rubber may be as hard as a rock, front yoke mounting nut to tight, slide hand crank in to crank nut to check for proper alignment.

mshmodela · 11-10-2014, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Simple fix. Don't drive 50 mph. You're overdriving your brakes and your headlights anyway. If you want to go fast, get in your modern car.

I agreed, 35-40mph is about what a 83 year old block should be pushed... They have only so much life left in them., heatin and cooling cycles that is...

John S · 11-10-2014, 09:13 PM

To me the muffler clamp deal makes more of a drumming noise, not so much a vibration. While you're under the car grease the heck out of the u-joint too. Might not hurt to inspect the tires for out of round and the wheels for loose nuts too.

CWilson · 11-10-2014, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

Motor mount rubber may be as hard as a rock, front yoke mounting nut to tight, slide hand crank in to crank nut to check for proper alignment.

Thank you, will check those.

John S · 11-10-2014, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshmodela

I agreed, 35-40mph is about what a 83 year old block should be pushed... They have only so much life left in them., heatin and cooling cycles that is...

I guess y'all wouldn't drive on interstate 35 in downtown Dallas either, huh?

1crosscut · 11-10-2014, 10:08 PM

Perhaps I missed it but is the vibration only when moving or can it be made to happen just by reving the engine.
If noisy while not moving the first thing I would check would be the tail pipe clamp. Temporaraly slip a small bit of wood wedge in between the tail pipe and the clamp to see if it helps.
Maybe engine pans (if you have them) making noise.
Lot's of other possibilities.
Get someone to rev the engine whilst you crawl around under it looking and listening. Use a 1/4" dowel to push against things to see if you can stop the vibration.

If it is the tail pipe clamp use a few bits of wood wedge to get it centered in the clamp and squirt three little blobs of silicone spaced evenly apart between the pipe and the clamp. Let cure for a day and drive it. The pipe will expand with heat and break each of the blobs free from only one of the surfaces and remain tightly attached to the other. Will stop the vibration and allow movement. Silicone is very heat resistant.

700rpm · 11-10-2014, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John S

I guess y'all wouldn't drive on interstate 35 in downtown Dallas either, huh?

Nope.

Fred · 11-10-2014, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshmodela

I agreed, 35-40mph is about what a 83 year old block should be pushed... They have only so much life left in them., heatin and cooling cycles that is...

At 35-40 Mph, You are a accident looking to happen.. This even with your car lit up like a Xmas tree !!..

mshmodela · 11-10-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred

At 35-40 Mph, You are a accident looking to happen.. This even with your car lit up like a Xmas tree !!..

Not when the speed limit is 25-35mph --yes i only drive on roads with those limits.

huddy · 11-10-2014, 11:07 PM

Dunno about putting hard limits on it. My coupe likes 50 much better than 40 - I get a vibration around 38 thru 45 that smooths out quite nicely above that, and it seems that driving without the vibes would be healthier for both me and the car. I don't pretend to an expert on these cars - I've only driven two coupes, mine and another, which had lots more vibration over a wider speed range. Mine has a balanced crank, which probably accounts for the difference. But I'm still learning, and I sure agree that taking it easy on these old engines sounds like a smart idea.

11-10-2014, 08:23 PM	#1
CWilson Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sunbury, OH Posts: 295	Vibration at 50 mph I am new to the forum, and have been reading threads for the past few months. I have a question I can't seem to find the answer to by searching previous posts. I am getting a strong (and loud) vibration from under the truck somewhere around the transmission area. I cant tell where the sound is coming from because I cant get the rpms up while laying under the truck. It also doesn't help that I've never driven another Model A other then my own so I don't know if the noise/vibration is normal or out of whack. You guys seem to know everything about these and maybe this is a common problem. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

11-10-2014, 08:34 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Vibration at 50 mph I'll assume that checked everything external around the area of the noise. It seems as though you may have a bad u-joint.

11-10-2014, 08:34 PM	#3
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Vibration at 50 mph if you push in the clutch does the noise vibration go away?

11-10-2014, 08:45 PM	#4
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Vibration at 50 mph Simple fix. Don't drive 50 mph. You're overdriving your brakes and your headlights anyway. If you want to go fast, get in your modern car. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

11-10-2014, 08:50 PM	#5
CWilson Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sunbury, OH Posts: 295	Re: Vibration at 50 mph Yes, the noise goes away. Vibration is linked to rpms

11-10-2014, 09:10 PM	#11
Drive Shaft Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New hope Minnesota Posts: 742	Re: Vibration at 50 mph Motor mount rubber may be as hard as a rock, front yoke mounting nut to tight, slide hand crank in to crank nut to check for proper alignment.

11-10-2014, 09:13 PM	#13
John S Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ellis County, Texas Posts: 337	Re: Vibration at 50 mph To me the muffler clamp deal makes more of a drumming noise, not so much a vibration. While you're under the car grease the heck out of the u-joint too. Might not hurt to inspect the tires for out of round and the wheels for loose nuts too. __________________ John _________________________________ http://www.dmafc.com/

11-10-2014, 10:08 PM	#16
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Vibration at 50 mph Perhaps I missed it but is the vibration only when moving or can it be made to happen just by reving the engine. If noisy while not moving the first thing I would check would be the tail pipe clamp. Temporaraly slip a small bit of wood wedge in between the tail pipe and the clamp to see if it helps. Maybe engine pans (if you have them) making noise. Lot's of other possibilities. Get someone to rev the engine whilst you crawl around under it looking and listening. Use a 1/4" dowel to push against things to see if you can stop the vibration. If it is the tail pipe clamp use a few bits of wood wedge to get it centered in the clamp and squirt three little blobs of silicone spaced evenly apart between the pipe and the clamp. Let cure for a day and drive it. The pipe will expand with heat and break each of the blobs free from only one of the surfaces and remain tightly attached to the other. Will stop the vibration and allow movement. Silicone is very heat resistant. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska Last edited by 1crosscut; 11-10-2014 at 10:13 PM. Reason: Added information

11-10-2014, 11:07 PM	#20
huddy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Central NY & Central CA Posts: 316	Re: Vibration at 50 mph Dunno about putting hard limits on it. My coupe likes 50 much better than 40 - I get a vibration around 38 thru 45 that smooths out quite nicely above that, and it seems that driving without the vibes would be healthier for both me and the car. I don't pretend to an expert on these cars - I've only driven two coupes, mine and another, which had lots more vibration over a wider speed range. Mine has a balanced crank, which probably accounts for the difference. But I'm still learning, and I sure agree that taking it easy on these old engines sounds like a smart idea. __________________ Owning an antique car is "start fixing one thing, find four other things that need fixing." Lather, rinse, repeat.