The Ford Barn

mrboch · 03-24-2016, 09:16 PM

Hey - first time to post and hopefully someone out there can help solve a problem I have been working on. In the process of working out the bugs in my '40 ford pickup. The flathead has about 150 miles on it and recently has developed a ticking noise that sounds like high lash. The odd thing is that it goes away completely after about 2 minutes of idling. I can't pinpoint the exact cylinder, but sounds like its coming from the rear cylinders. Took the manifold off and all valve clearances are spot on. Springs look OK and gave the tappets a turn and they do not feel bound up.

I suspected a stuck valve, but compression check is OK.

It does not sound like its coming from the fuel pump.

I do have a slight misfire that I think is due to excessive fueling (that's another story). Checking vacuum shows the misfire, but is generally strong and does not change when first started (when it ticks) and after it warms up (no tick).

Going to check the exh. manifold tomorrow to make sure nothing is loose/cracked.

Any other thoughts?

super flat · 03-24-2016, 09:34 PM

I would bet a slightly sticky valve. I would run some mystery oil in the gas and see if you can cure it. Gary

Frank Miller · 03-25-2016, 07:29 AM

The sticking valve could explain the slight misfire. Dribbling dome mystery oil down the carb while running works too.

flatjack9 · 03-25-2016, 08:52 AM

Too much piston clearance?

Kurt in NJ · 03-25-2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

Too much piston clearance?

This was my first thought too
Have you tried shorting out plugs to see if it change the noise

super flat · 03-25-2016, 09:25 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Piston clearance is a good suggestion but should not cause a misfire. Good luck, Gary

flatjack9 · 03-25-2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super flat

Piston clearance is a good suggestion but should not cause a misfire. Good luck, Gary

He said the ticking was independent of the misfire. The exhaust leak is also a good possibility. When it warms, it expands and stops the noise.

mrboch · 03-26-2016, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback.

I verified that is it not the fuel pump and also checked the exhaust manifold without any issues.

Also grounded out each cylinder and there was no noticeable difference - ruling out piston slap.

Going to resolve the over fueling next to hopefully fix the misfire before I go further. Pump puts out over 3.5 pounds and have a Holley regulator that should fix it.

Any other thoughts is appreciated and I'll post back later on progress.

-Mike

Bill S · 03-26-2016, 08:09 PM

Need to put MMO in every once and awhile. If I do not I get the clicking sound on warm up. In the early 50s I worked in a "service station" we always put upluber in the tank.

jake197000 · 10-17-2023, 11:46 AM

piston slap is usually heard under load it would have to be real bad to do that

Seth Swoboda · 10-17-2023, 02:18 PM

This is an old post and the OP said he would check back later with the progress. I suppose he is still working on it?

cadillac512 · 10-17-2023, 07:58 PM

It's only been 7 1/2 years....give the man a chance!

Terry

Lanny · 10-17-2023, 08:20 PM

mrboch was last logged in here 8-20-22.

.

Ol' Ron · 10-18-2023, 02:01 PM

You have options #1 take it apart and check everything, #2 Drive it fir awhile, might go away, #3 ?????
Gramps

03-25-2016, 08:52 AM	#4
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,530	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? Too much piston clearance?

03-25-2016, 09:25 AM	#6
super flat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: west bend wi Posts: 314	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Piston clearance is a good suggestion but should not cause a misfire. Good luck, Gary __________________ I am usually relatively happy------Gary

03-26-2016, 03:57 PM	#8
mrboch Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? Thanks for the feedback. I verified that is it not the fuel pump and also checked the exhaust manifold without any issues. Also grounded out each cylinder and there was no noticeable difference - ruling out piston slap. Going to resolve the over fueling next to hopefully fix the misfire before I go further. Pump puts out over 3.5 pounds and have a Holley regulator that should fix it. Any other thoughts is appreciated and I'll post back later on progress. -Mike

03-26-2016, 08:09 PM	#9
Bill S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. So. Calif Posts: 411	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? Need to put MMO in every once and awhile. If I do not I get the clicking sound on warm up. In the early 50s I worked in a "service station" we always put upluber in the tank.

10-17-2023, 11:46 AM	#10
jake197000 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 353	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? piston slap is usually heard under load it would have to be real bad to do that

03-24-2016, 09:16 PM	#1
mrboch Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5	Valve Noise at Startup? Hey - first time to post and hopefully someone out there can help solve a problem I have been working on. In the process of working out the bugs in my '40 ford pickup. The flathead has about 150 miles on it and recently has developed a ticking noise that sounds like high lash. The odd thing is that it goes away completely after about 2 minutes of idling. I can't pinpoint the exact cylinder, but sounds like its coming from the rear cylinders. Took the manifold off and all valve clearances are spot on. Springs look OK and gave the tappets a turn and they do not feel bound up. I suspected a stuck valve, but compression check is OK. It does not sound like its coming from the fuel pump. I do have a slight misfire that I think is due to excessive fueling (that's another story). Checking vacuum shows the misfire, but is generally strong and does not change when first started (when it ticks) and after it warms up (no tick). Going to check the exh. manifold tomorrow to make sure nothing is loose/cracked. Any other thoughts?

03-24-2016, 09:34 PM	#2
super flat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: west bend wi Posts: 314	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? I would bet a slightly sticky valve. I would run some mystery oil in the gas and see if you can cure it. Gary __________________ I am usually relatively happy------Gary

03-25-2016, 07:29 AM	#3
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? The sticking valve could explain the slight misfire. Dribbling dome mystery oil down the carb while running works too. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

10-17-2023, 02:18 PM	#11
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,817	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? This is an old post and the OP said he would check back later with the progress. I suppose he is still working on it?

10-17-2023, 07:58 PM	#12
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 947	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? It's only been 7 1/2 years....give the man a chance! Terry __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

10-17-2023, 08:20 PM	#13
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? mrboch was last logged in here 8-20-22. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

10-18-2023, 02:01 PM	#14
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,881	Re: Valve Noise at Startup? You have options #1 take it apart and check everything, #2 Drive it fir awhile, might go away, #3 ????? Gramps