The Ford Barn

jagford · 12-11-2021, 06:17 PM

I have a noise in my 32 flathead and I have no idea where it’s coming from. It was noisy enough that I figured the valves needed adjusting, so I replaced the mushroom valves and split guides for the later straight stem valves, one piece guides and adjustable lifters. I adjusted the gaps and re-checked them before installing the head and intake manifold. When I ran the engine, the noise was still there. I checked it with my stethoscope and everything seemed fine, even heard the cam quietly working the valves. The only spot on the engine where I heard the clack, believe it or not, was on the top of the left water pump outlet. I removed the belt and pump, and the pump turned smoothly without any metal to metal contact. I don’t want to run that rare 32 engine until I get this problem solved. The last thing I want is to damage it.

So at this point I’m baffled and have no idea where this metallic clacking is coming from. Any ideas out there?

51 MERC-CT · 12-11-2021, 06:27 PM

When you determined that the noise was coming from the area of the left pump, did you remove the belt and run the engine to see if the noise went away? (you should have)

DavidG · 12-11-2021, 08:15 PM

If it is so rare, which it is fairly so, why would you change the entire valve train except the camshaft (presumably)? All my restored '32 engines run just fine with the original '32 mushroom valves, split guides with the lip for the valve springs, big valve springs and spring retainers, and original non-adjustable lifters as they did originally.

Newc · 12-12-2021, 12:44 AM

RG 10 had member with a bump on his pump belt. thump-thump took forever to find it. Newc

jagford · 12-12-2021, 03:22 PM

I ran the engine and the noise didn’t go away after I removed the belt and pump

jagford · 12-12-2021, 03:27 PM

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Mine did too, for 30,000 miles. When the clacking noise began, I thought it was worn valves. That’s why I decided to change out the valves with adjustable lifters. When I fired it up, the clack was still there.

jagford · 12-12-2021, 03:33 PM

Mine did too, for 30,000 miles. When the clacking noise began, I thought it was worn valves. That’s why I decided to change out the valves with adjustable lifters. When I fired it up, the clack was still there. Still puzzled. Any more ideas?

petehoovie · 12-12-2021, 05:25 PM

Fuel pump push rod??? Or, maybe something going on in the distributor...

Ggmac · 12-13-2021, 05:37 AM

Is it possible that a distributor hold bolt is too long and just touching the cam gear ? Reason I ask , I just disassembled a 21 stud that I have had since the late 70s and it was obviously rebuilt and not even broken in . It had a mark on the cam gear that Ive never seen , further investigation revealed someone used the incorrect bolt for the distributor. It was hitting the gear . I cant find anything else wrong with the motor and can only assume it was removed due to a noise .
Just a wild guess .

ponymare · 12-13-2021, 07:43 AM

Could it be a blown manifold exhaust gasket making that noise?

Bored&Stroked · 12-13-2021, 08:14 AM

Maybe you can record the sound and if the audio is good enough, post the file on Youtube for us to come and checkout?

jagford · 12-13-2021, 12:15 PM

No rod-Using an electric pump, but thanks for the suggestion

jagford · 12-13-2021, 12:16 PM

I used the correct shoulder boltsAnd there were no marks on the timing gear. But Good suggestion. Thanks

jagford · 12-13-2021, 12:19 PM

The only thing I saw amiss in the engine was a loose oil slinger on the front of the crankshaft, and I didn’t know how to fix it without dropping the pan. But I can’t imagine that little piece of sheet metal making such a loud clack

jagford · 12-13-2021, 12:21 PM

Recording the sound is a good suggestion. I’ll do that, but how do I post it on YouTube so everyone can find it? I don’t use YouTube. Can I post a video on this stream?

alchemy · 12-15-2021, 01:00 PM

How does the slinger on the front of the crank get loose? That's supposed to be clamped tight when all assembled.

If the noise comes from the left front, could there be a loose #5 piston? Or the bearing/babbit is worn on #5?

flatford8 · 12-15-2021, 02:24 PM

Try pulling plug wires one at a time with the engine idling. If it’s a piston making noise, it might stop when you take away the power stroke…..Mark

Lawson Cox · 12-15-2021, 07:55 PM

Not sure I know just what a clack sounds like, but just a thought. Wrong location though, but you know how sound travels. See if the tube that extends out of the underside of the fuel pump stand has dropped and is bouncing up and down on the cam I like to have never located that sound wwen mine dropped off/down.

DavidG · 12-15-2021, 09:45 PM

Sorry Lawson, in a '32 there is no tube beneath the fuel pump (assuming that he is using an original pump), just the operating push rod. The first of such a tube is the '35 V8.

12-11-2021, 06:17 PM	#1
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	32 Flathead clacking noise I have a noise in my 32 flathead and I have no idea where it’s coming from. It was noisy enough that I figured the valves needed adjusting, so I replaced the mushroom valves and split guides for the later straight stem valves, one piece guides and adjustable lifters. I adjusted the gaps and re-checked them before installing the head and intake manifold. When I ran the engine, the noise was still there. I checked it with my stethoscope and everything seemed fine, even heard the cam quietly working the valves. The only spot on the engine where I heard the clack, believe it or not, was on the top of the left water pump outlet. I removed the belt and pump, and the pump turned smoothly without any metal to metal contact. I don’t want to run that rare 32 engine until I get this problem solved. The last thing I want is to damage it. So at this point I’m baffled and have no idea where this metallic clacking is coming from. Any ideas out there? Last edited by jagford; 12-11-2021 at 06:20 PM. Reason: Removed Unnecessary comment

12-11-2021, 06:27 PM	#2
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise When you determined that the noise was coming from the area of the left pump, did you remove the belt and run the engine to see if the noise went away? (you should have) __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

12-11-2021, 08:15 PM	#3
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise If it is so rare, which it is fairly so, why would you change the entire valve train except the camshaft (presumably)? All my restored '32 engines run just fine with the original '32 mushroom valves, split guides with the lip for the valve springs, big valve springs and spring retainers, and original non-adjustable lifters as they did originally.

12-12-2021, 12:44 AM	#4
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,482	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise RG 10 had member with a bump on his pump belt. thump-thump took forever to find it. Newc

12-12-2021, 03:27 PM	#6
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mine did too, for 30,000 miles. When the clacking noise began, I thought it was worn valves. That’s why I decided to change out the valves with adjustable lifters. When I fired it up, the clack was still there.

12-12-2021, 03:22 PM	#5
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise I ran the engine and the noise didn’t go away after I removed the belt and pump

12-12-2021, 03:33 PM	#7
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Mine did too, for 30,000 miles. When the clacking noise began, I thought it was worn valves. That’s why I decided to change out the valves with adjustable lifters. When I fired it up, the clack was still there. Still puzzled. Any more ideas?

12-12-2021, 05:25 PM	#8
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,076	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Fuel pump push rod??? Or, maybe something going on in the distributor... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

12-13-2021, 05:37 AM	#9
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,086	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Is it possible that a distributor hold bolt is too long and just touching the cam gear ? Reason I ask , I just disassembled a 21 stud that I have had since the late 70s and it was obviously rebuilt and not even broken in . It had a mark on the cam gear that Ive never seen , further investigation revealed someone used the incorrect bolt for the distributor. It was hitting the gear . I cant find anything else wrong with the motor and can only assume it was removed due to a noise . Just a wild guess .

12-13-2021, 07:43 AM	#10
ponymare Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 160	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Could it be a blown manifold exhaust gasket making that noise?

12-13-2021, 08:14 AM	#11
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Maybe you can record the sound and if the audio is good enough, post the file on Youtube for us to come and checkout?

12-13-2021, 12:15 PM	#12
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise No rod-Using an electric pump, but thanks for the suggestion

12-13-2021, 12:16 PM	#13
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise I used the correct shoulder boltsAnd there were no marks on the timing gear. But Good suggestion. Thanks

12-13-2021, 12:19 PM	#14
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise The only thing I saw amiss in the engine was a loose oil slinger on the front of the crankshaft, and I didn’t know how to fix it without dropping the pan. But I can’t imagine that little piece of sheet metal making such a loud clack

12-13-2021, 12:21 PM	#15
jagford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 9	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Recording the sound is a good suggestion. I’ll do that, but how do I post it on YouTube so everyone can find it? I don’t use YouTube. Can I post a video on this stream?

12-15-2021, 01:00 PM	#16
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 646	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise How does the slinger on the front of the crank get loose? That's supposed to be clamped tight when all assembled. If the noise comes from the left front, could there be a loose #5 piston? Or the bearing/babbit is worn on #5?

12-15-2021, 02:24 PM	#17
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Try pulling plug wires one at a time with the engine idling. If it’s a piston making noise, it might stop when you take away the power stroke…..Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

12-15-2021, 07:55 PM	#18
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Not sure I know just what a clack sounds like, but just a thought. Wrong location though, but you know how sound travels. See if the tube that extends out of the underside of the fuel pump stand has dropped and is bouncing up and down on the cam I like to have never located that sound wwen mine dropped off/down. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

12-15-2021, 09:45 PM	#19
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: 32 Flathead clacking noise Sorry Lawson, in a '32 there is no tube beneath the fuel pump (assuming that he is using an original pump), just the operating push rod. The first of such a tube is the '35 V8.