strange noise in my flathead V-8

[tanner]

My 49 F1 V-8 is making a funny sound...not valve "clack, clack clacking" but rather a higher pitched sound more like tapping a glass with a spoon?? kinda ting, ting, ting. Mostly does it under load like starting off in low gear but also hear it when I accelerate in 2nd and 3rd gear. Don't hear it at idle until I rev the engine some and then only for and instant and then it goes away. I had some valve "clacking" last year until I adjusted the lifters and the valve noise went away. Everything has been fine since until a week or so ago. My wife heard it first and I could not but now I sure can! Used my wooden "listening stick" all over the engine but didn't really hear anything unusual except on the vacuum advance on the distributer--there I heard a distinctive "click,click,click".

My Dad used to tell his customers that he could not fix their car on the phone! I guess the same is true for the internet but I sure would be interested in any thoughts you flathead guys might have.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[JSeery]

It's not pinging is it?

[Ken/Alabama]

Try retarding the timing or put some hi test gas and see what happens.

[tanner]

Ah, good question. Maybe a fuel issue? I'll fill it up with a higher octane non ethanol tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. Maybe I should move the timing back a tad too?

[WestCoast]

that was my thought, it easy enough to find out, just slow the timing down, mark where the dist is, put a mark there so you can bring it back there in case that wasn't the problem

[tanner]

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Great advice! Thanks, I'll get on it first thing I the am.

[Lawson Cox]

Is the sound any more pronounced near the fuel pump stand? Could be the long tube has come lose and is tapping on the cam. That is what mine did.

[BILL WZOREK]

Do only one thing at a time, driving in between / that way you can tell what fixed it.
Good luck

[Inherited40tudor]

My '40 started doing that. After disassembly I found the bearing thrust surface on the crankshaft was worn and the crank was moving back and forth. Haven't reassembled yet, but it seems to have been the only possible culprit. I know the 8BA is a different motor, but worth checking.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by BILL WZOREK

Do only one thing at a time, driving in between / that way you can tell what fixed it.
Good luck

This advice applies to all malfunctions on all things from flatheads to females and everything in between!

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

This advice applies to all malfunctions on all things from flatheads to females and everything in between!

You can probably fix the flathead, but you can't necessarily fix the "other". DD

[expavr]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

This advice applies to all malfunctions on all things from flatheads to females and everything in between!

This observation should be inscribed in stone....!!!!

[tanner]

Well, I tried the obvious but still no better. I filled up (16.5 Gal.)with 93 octane non ethanol and drove it 30+ miles to be sure it was running on the hi test but the noise is still there on acceleration. Next set the timing back some but still no better. I will say it sounds like spark knock or ping but I am afraid its more serious. I drove on the interstate last week for about 3 hours at 60 mph (2000 rpm) and it ran well. Still does for that matter but the noise is really bugging me. I did check for the source again with my listening stick as Lawson suggested but can't hear anything unusual around the fuel pump stand. On the pump itself I can hear the pump action as expected.
???

[ford38v8]

You might look for something external, as the engine torque at acceleration may cause contact between components in close proximity. Check your front motor mounts as a contributing factor for this. I'm thinking in particular the fan coming in contact with the shroud. Check the shroud mounts and the radiator mounts for this as well.

[tanner]

Thanks Alan, I just checked the fan/shroud. Plenty of clearance and very tight all around. Motor mounts seem very good as they are less than one year old. No movement when revving. Sound is more of a distinct "clink, clink" than a metal scraping sound.

[ford38v8]

From your initial post, you said you had adjusted the lifters last year. Many times, a malfunction can be traced to the last thing that was done ...However, this doesn't always apply when a female is involved.

[Lanny]

Originally Posted by tanner

Thanks Alan, I just checked the fan/shroud. Plenty of clearance and very tight all around. Motor mounts seem very good as they are less than one year old. No movement when revving. Sound is more of a distinct "clink, clink" than a metal scraping sound.

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Can you tell if it's comming from the front of the engine
or the rear, flywheel area ?









.

[tanner]

I really can't tell. I can only hear it from the cab while driving. It actually sounds more like spark knock or valve pinging when I accelerate at slow to moderate speed, but that was the first possible cause I eliminated as suggested by JSeery and Ken above. I will try to get the wife to rev it some while I check the engine again with my stick. The engine only has about 25,000 since last rebuild by previous owner.
I think I may pull the intake and go over the lifters again, just for the piece of mind even though it's a pain to do so. I can't see going into the engine at this point as it is really running very well.
Thanks for the suggestions!!

[klawockvet]

Any chance you are running an alternator? I have a sound that resembles what you are describing and it is definitely coming from the alternator in my Model A. The manufacturer of this particular alternator tells me its "normal". I don't like it but I live with it. Try turning your lights on and see if the sound changes.

[Ken Henry]

Maybe you have a small exhaust leak? Can you reproduce the noise while stopped by slipping the clutch with the emergency brake on?