The Ford Barn

KenBolton · 04-10-2023, 10:38 AM

After my pickup sets for several days the engine clatters on startup. Is has less than 1,000 miles on an overhaul. After running30-40 seconds it quotes down. Could this be lifters? If so why do they drain down to this point?

Jim Brierley · 04-10-2023, 10:53 AM

It's more likely to be from lack of oil to the main bearings, it takes time for oil to get to them. This should not happen on a new engine.

Ramman · 04-10-2023, 11:12 AM

My random guess is piston slap. From standard pistons put into slightly oversize/out of round bores, until pistons warm up a bit. Will it do this over night or only after setting a couple days?

Ernie Vitucci · 04-10-2023, 06:08 PM

Good afternoon...You might consider trurning the engine over with the starter, while the ignition off, for a minute or two in order to get oil moving. Then turn the ignition on and fire the old girl up. This approach can quiet the engine quite a bit at start up. Ernie in Arizona

Synchro909 · 04-10-2023, 06:29 PM

At great risk of re igniting the old "What oil do you use" chestnut, what oil are you using? I also suspect the noise is from the main bearings being dry on startup. A thin oil will drain out quicker than a thicker one.

KenBolton · 04-11-2023, 08:48 AM

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10W30 oil. Slight noise when restarting within same day worse when sitting longer.

DJ S · 04-11-2023, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenBolton

10W30 oil. Slight noise when restarting within same day worse when sitting longer.

Sounds like loose bearings. Best course of action is to drop the pan and adjust.

Flathead · 04-11-2023, 11:06 AM

Try some 15/40 oil, or even 20/50. This will drain out slower and also give some cushion to worn bearings. If this makes a difference you will know that the bearings are loose and you can decide how you want to proceed from there. In my opinion 10w30 is kind of thin unless you have a fresh, tightly clearanced motor.

KenBolton · 04-11-2023, 05:22 PM

I cranked the engine over for 10 seconds or so and it started up with no noise. Bearings, piston slap or dry lifters?

nkaminar · 04-11-2023, 05:47 PM

Try publishing the noise. I am also going to guess it is piston slap from the description. The aluminum will expand to close up the gap after the engine starts to warm up.

Synchro909 · 04-11-2023, 07:19 PM

I had a flash of inspiration on this. I've seen the dipper tray wells drilled so the oil can drain out of them. If that has been done to yours, the con rods would be running short of oil until they refill. If you are going to drop the sump (pan) to check bearing clearances, you might look into that as well. If they are drilled, a little weld, even some epoxy putty will do the trick - or replace it.

eagle · 04-14-2023, 07:19 AM

At less than 1000 miles since rebuild, I would definitely take this very seriously. Pull the oil pan or possibly the whole engine and go over it carefully. You will get lots of guesses here, but you need answers, and theres only one way that is going to happen.

katy · 04-14-2023, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenBolton

After my pickup sets for several days the engine clatters on startup. Is has less than 1,000 miles on an overhaul. After running30-40 seconds it quotes down. Could this be lifters? If so why do they drain down to this point?

Was the "overhaul" a complete rebuild? Or, what was done to the engine?

04-10-2023, 10:38 AM	#1
KenBolton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Fall Creek, WI Posts: 213	Engine Noise After my pickup sets for several days the engine clatters on startup. Is has less than 1,000 miles on an overhaul. After running30-40 seconds it quotes down. Could this be lifters? If so why do they drain down to this point?

04-10-2023, 10:53 AM	#2
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,091	Re: Engine Noise It's more likely to be from lack of oil to the main bearings, it takes time for oil to get to them. This should not happen on a new engine.

04-10-2023, 11:12 AM	#3
Ramman Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 95	Re: Engine Noise My random guess is piston slap. From standard pistons put into slightly oversize/out of round bores, until pistons warm up a bit. Will it do this over night or only after setting a couple days?

04-10-2023, 06:08 PM	#4
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 612	Re: Engine Noise Good afternoon...You might consider trurning the engine over with the starter, while the ignition off, for a minute or two in order to get oil moving. Then turn the ignition on and fire the old girl up. This approach can quiet the engine quite a bit at start up. Ernie in Arizona

04-10-2023, 06:29 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Engine Noise At great risk of re igniting the old "What oil do you use" chestnut, what oil are you using? I also suspect the noise is from the main bearings being dry on startup. A thin oil will drain out quicker than a thicker one. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

04-11-2023, 08:48 AM	#6
KenBolton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Fall Creek, WI Posts: 213	Re: Engine Noise Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 10W30 oil. Slight noise when restarting within same day worse when sitting longer.

04-11-2023, 11:06 AM	#8
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,499	Re: Engine Noise Try some 15/40 oil, or even 20/50. This will drain out slower and also give some cushion to worn bearings. If this makes a difference you will know that the bearings are loose and you can decide how you want to proceed from there. In my opinion 10w30 is kind of thin unless you have a fresh, tightly clearanced motor.

04-11-2023, 05:22 PM	#9
KenBolton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Fall Creek, WI Posts: 213	Re: Engine Noise I cranked the engine over for 10 seconds or so and it started up with no noise. Bearings, piston slap or dry lifters?

04-11-2023, 05:47 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,901	Re: Engine Noise Try publishing the noise. I am also going to guess it is piston slap from the description. The aluminum will expand to close up the gap after the engine starts to warm up. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

04-11-2023, 07:19 PM	#11
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Engine Noise I had a flash of inspiration on this. I've seen the dipper tray wells drilled so the oil can drain out of them. If that has been done to yours, the con rods would be running short of oil until they refill. If you are going to drop the sump (pan) to check bearing clearances, you might look into that as well. If they are drilled, a little weld, even some epoxy putty will do the trick - or replace it. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

04-14-2023, 07:19 AM	#12
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Engine Noise At less than 1000 miles since rebuild, I would definitely take this very seriously. Pull the oil pan or possibly the whole engine and go over it carefully. You will get lots of guesses here, but you need answers, and theres only one way that is going to happen. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."