Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I'd like to call on everybody's collective expertise to help diagnose a new noise my A is making.

First, here is a link to a video of the noise, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMkSiOYlupI

In the video, I'm coming down a hill. First few seconds, the clutch is in and I have the hand throttle set to about the correct engine speed for 30MPH. Rest of the video, the car is coasting in gear still around 30.

This noise doesn't seem to be coming from the engine but it does seem speed related(faster when the car is moving faster). Sitting still and revving the engine doesn't make the noise.

The only times I've heard have been coasting down hills and as the revs drop between shifting.

Also, seems to be coming from under the floorboard instead of under the hood but it's hard to tell.

Thanks guys.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

1 vote for the speedometer cable.....has it been lubed recently?


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Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I second the spedo cable. Easy to test - just unscrew it from the driveshaft and take it for a ride on those same roads.

No vibrations or anything like that when its happening is it? Just purely speed related?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I just replaced the speedometer cable in my '29, had a noise similar.. although more "whine" in it. Disconnected the cable, no noise.. lubed it and re-installed, still had the noise. A few of the strands had frayed where the cable bends at the firewall, and that provided a sound-box effect to amplify the noise, new cable and my problem solved.!


Just a thought.. Good luck.!

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

One thing I failed to mention, pushing in the clutch and letting the engine idle while rolling on that same hill at 30mph makes the noise go away.

Would have never thought of the speedo cable. I'm ashamed to say but it hasn't been lubed since the car has been in my care....which means it has had no attention in at least 6 years and 8,000 miles.

If the weather is nice, I will pull the cable, take the same drive and report back tomorrow.

What lube should be used on the cable?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Graphite grease was recommended to me.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Graphite makes sense to me. Disconnect both ends of the cable and shoot it in?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

The way I was shown to lube a speedometer cable was to pull the inner cable out completely, clean it if necessary, then put a quantity of grease in the palm of one hand, and feed the cable through the grease as you feed it into the housing, carrying the grease into the housing and thus lubing the entire cable.

Keep track of which end goes into the speedometer, the two ends may be different.

Nitrile work gloves recommended!

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Cable was my 1st guess also

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Well... not the speedo cable. Disconnected it, same drive, same noise.

Gonna lube the cable regardless. Any other ideas?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I guess it’s time to open up the transmission inspection cover. And take a peek.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

At first when I listened to your video I thought it might be an exhaust leak, either at the manifold or in the area of the muffler. But it sounded a little metallic....so went with the speedo cable...

I would do as John suggests and take the inspection cover off the clutch housing and see what you find....maybe a loose finger on the pressure plate?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Pulled the lower floorboard and went for a little drive. Can't see anything blatantly obvious and still no closer to pinpointing the noise.

What are the odds it's something serious?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Gonna pull the cover now.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I think you may be on to something. I rotated the engine around and pushed on all of the pressure plate fingers(the exposed end) with a screwdriver and none budged but one, I was able to push it maybe 1/16". It also looked like the adjusting nut was backed off further than the rest.

What's the correct way to adjust them and can it be done in the car?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Measure the lever height of the others and make the odd one the same, it can be done from the front seat.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Good, thats all I was hoping I'd have to do. Thanks! Hopefully I'll have some free time this afternoon.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

So I tightened up the one nut to match the rest of them, haven't test driven it yet.


New development though. Could it be the timing gear?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rldiSdcjPIM

That noise has been there for a while but it was always much, much quieter.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Well, it makes noise pretty much all the time now except for when it's under a good load or idling. Always goes away quickly by pushing in the clutch while rolling. Seems to be getting worse but I just don't know how serious it could be.

The rods are in pretty rough shape but were all within clearance spec when I checked last year.

Drove it to work and just went out and started it to see if I could get it to make the noise without moving and it sounded perfect. I'm really stumped.

It seems to be coming from the bell housing area but it's hard to tell.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Two long of starter bolts touching the flywheel? when the clutch is pushed in the flywheel moves away.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Slow the idle speed it sounds high, remove your fan belt maybe a bad pulley?
Good luck chasing noises!

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Thanks! Sometimes it's frustrating but chasing noises is all part of the fun.

What would the easiest way be to check the starter bolts. If it were that though I'd think it would get better rather than worse as they self clearance

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Hi,I have not worked on Ford Barn before, but have had an "A" for 53 years.
It "could be" a bad universal joint.
Let me know at [email protected]

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Chasing potentially harmful noises isn’t really fun. Try using a section of broom handle, long screw driver or pry bar, or my favorite a mechanics stethoscope from harbor freight to help isolate area of concern from rest of vehicle, sound transmission will change in relationship to where you stand with naked ear. Too much background engine noise and too short of video to guess as to origination point.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Bad U joint has crossed my mind as well. I'll have to look into it further.

I'll use a broom handle the next time it makes noise while idling, I just hate how random it is.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I find the older I get the less strange noises come from my car...not sure if my hearing is getting worse or my car is running better?

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Throw out bearing?Lube it or pilot bearing.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Check the pressure plate fingers again. If you haven't backed off the starter bolts, pull each out, one at a time, and put two flat washers in to shim for each bolt.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Will do, I'll shim the starter bolts today and recheck the pressure plate. Thanks for the advice everybody.

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

Also, what size are the starter bolts? I can grab some washers at work

Re: Everyone's Favorite Game: Name That Noise
 

I'd take one out and stick it in my pocket. And in the process, look at the tip of the threaded end for signs of rubbing on the flywheel. The length is supposed to be 1"".