Wind noise ???

[carolinamudwalker]

My 1930 sport coup is so noisy at 45mph that you cannot carry on a conversation with the person sitting next to you let alone hear anyone on the phone. At 35mph everything is tolerable so my guess is that it is wind noise. Makes no difference weather windows are up or down. Is this normal? How on earth did Ford sell any of these things. Bob

[Bruce_MO]

I have two A's... one is fully restored and the other can loosely be described as a driver. The restored car is much quieter and generally smoother at the 35-45 mph range. There are lots of factors regarding condition of rotating parts that determine what you're experiencing, and I would guess that wind noise is not the big factor. But I will add that a friend and I did a drive comparison several years ago between his restored '31 Victoria and my '32 V8 Victoria. The difference in noise & harshness was huge. Ford made a tremendous jump in overall driving/riding quality in the V8 years, in my opinion.

[burner31]

Slow down to 25, problem solved
Or you can tighten everything up, new seals, window channels, door bumpers/seals
A loud radio works well also...or so I'm told

My '31 town sedan, at 50+mph is noisy, but not overly,and a conversation is easily done, my car is by no means a fully restored, it's a normal driver.
I'm going to guess that you have some issues with the car that need to be resolved, (rattles galore?)
How is your muffler/exhaust system?
You'll be surprised what tightening bolts/screws can do, check everything, top, bottom, front, rear, under the car, on top of the car, in the car, bumper brackets, running boards...basicly...everything.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Windwings help the wind noise a LOT. On my coupes, you could carry on a conversation with only 1 window open, but NOT with both open. The wind buffets behind you & blows your hair FORWARD! Ride in a car with windwings, & you'll buy a set!
Bill W.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Windwings help the wind noise a LOT. On my coupes, you could carry on a conversation with only 1 window open, but NOT with both open. The wind buffets behind you & blows your hair FORWARD! Ride in a car with windwings, & you'll buy a set!
Bill W.

Bill is indeed correct. Not only do they look impressive but wind wings serve a practical purpose. Wayne

[carolinamudwalker]

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I was really hoping to hear from other sport coup owners. My club says it is because it is a rag top. I did install wind wings and they seem to help, and yes with the back window up there is a gale coming in from the rear. Not all bad on a really hot day. Bob

[richsfords]

still stuck in the Islands, slant windows and all A's are quite till you start them up, the way Henry wanted it.
Richard in New Bern
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it” - Henry Ford

[leo]

Use Beano!

[Not George]

Originally Posted by carolinamudwalker

My 1930 sport coup is so noisy at 45mph that you cannot carry on a conversation with the person sitting next to you let alone hear anyone on the phone. At 35mph everything is tolerable so my guess is that it is wind noise. Makes no difference weather windows are up or down. Is this normal? How on earth did Ford sell any of these things. Bob

Sweet!

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by carolinamudwalker

I was really hoping to hear from other sport coup owners. My club says it is because it is a rag top. I did install wind wings and they seem to help, and yes with the back window up there is a gale coming in from the rear. Not all bad on a really hot day. Bob

I have a 1928 Sport Coupe. I restored it in 2001 has 22,000 miles on it sense restored. It is not any more noisy than any other Model A. I have redone 25 Model A,s. None of them are going to be like a new car.

[Jon W]

Turn off the phone while driving.

[2manycars]

My car is quiet. I have new window seals, new windlace on the doors, sound deadener on all the panels behind upholdstry, even the kick panels, and I sealed the gap between the floor risers and the cowl. I also have a layer of carpet padding under the floor mat.

[carolinamudwalker]

Now Leo that was funny, However, My wife is boarding a bus and heading your way as I write this. She is a big woman and always carries a base ball bat. I would not be home when she arrives. Mudwalker

[31Tudor]

Mine is pretty noisy, engine/exhaust, and wind noise. lol

[Benson]

Try this before you spend too much more money on the problem...

Does the car have a 1930's four blade fan or two blade aluminum fan See note below?

Fans when out of balance can make a lot more noise than you would think.

Pick cool day and remove the fan belt ... test drive for a SHORT trip at the speed where noise happens.

A short trip should not overheat the engine.

If quieter replace fan with a new one. The new two blade fans are balanced.

NOTE: There are a number of old swap meet aluminum two blade fans being sold out there that do not fit the shaft on the water pump and these make noise and vibrate.
That is why they are for sale and cheap!

Many of the 30's four blade fans are just not balanced.

[carolinamudwalker]

car has a 6 blade plastic fan. I have also completely lined the interior with the soundproof stuff, all new exhaust system gone over every nut & bolt , but I am convinced this roar is wind noise. I can reverse course and drive the same speed and sometimes you can talk to the person next to you until a curve comes up and the roar comes back. After a 2000 mile trip to the great smoky mountains and back You are just exhausted from the noise. And then there is vapor lock to add to the enjoyment. Like I said ,how did Henry ever sell these rag top things. Mudwalker

[1931 flamingo]

I'm thinking it's your 6 blade fan...........................
Paul in CT

[31Tudor]

I wonder if it could be a wheel bearing or something like that? You mentioned when a curve comes up and at certain higher speeds the roar comes back. Maybe a loose or worn, or spun bearing and at certain speeds and then cornering it would put additional force on the bearing making a certain noise that would be transferred through the car. Just a thought. Also is it wind through and or around the windshield frame?

[burner31]

Originally Posted by carolinamudwalker

car has a 6 blade plastic fan. I have also completely lined the interior with the soundproof stuff, all new exhaust system gone over every nut & bolt , but I am convinced this roar is wind noise. I can reverse course and drive the same speed and sometimes you can talk to the person next to you until a curve comes up and the roar comes back. After a 2000 mile trip to the great smoky mountains and back You are just exhausted from the noise. And then there is vapor lock to add to the enjoyment. Like I said ,how did Henry ever sell these rag top things. Mudwalker

You already answered your own question..."enjoyment"