Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

This noise started in the engine spontaneously a couple of weeks ago, barely perceptible. At first it seemed like it was just premature detonation so I tried the usual fixes: Pulled the choke out a bit. It seemed to help a little at first but as time went on I had to choke it almost to death - just barely able to run - to benefit at all. Put larger jets in the carb. Again, at first seemed to help but not any more. Cranked the vacuum brake on the distributor down as far as it would go. Again, only short lived benefit. Same with putting the highest octane gas available in. No help.

It has always had the characteristic of premature detonation - only exists at full vacuum under power over 40 mph, not when accelerating nor decelerating. Now it's heard at fast idle without any load after getting up to stable RPM as heard in the video.

I'm afraid that it is sounding more and more like the sound I had last year for a short time just before a piston came apart and I had to have the engine rebuilt (21,000 miles ago).

What do you think?

Here's the noise: http://youtu.be/1BXBh417e_w

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Sounds like a rod knock to me, sorry

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

How's the oil pressure?

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Dunno? I'd pull all the plugs first and see if they can tell you anything. If they all look the same, then pull the heads and take a look at and massage the pistons for bearing or wristpin issues.

Jack E/NJ

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Oil pressure has always been good. New oil pump with engine rebuild last year.

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

If I identify a bearing or wrist pin issue can it be fixed without removing the engine?

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

almost every thing can be fixed with the engine in the car, except a flattened throw on the crank, sounds like a rod knock to me

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

I had a very similar noise an it turned out to be a broken piston. I didn't know it was broke till I pulled the piston completely out. Hope you have better luck than I did.

Dan

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Henry,I feel for you,you and me both do a lot of miles in our old fords,ours is resting at home as the engine couldn't,t be fixed in time for our big trip around Australia,so we are away in our fairlane.
Back to your noise,I too think it's a rod bearing. But to cheer you up,here is a pic we took the other day on our holiday ,a croc eating a kangaroo,I was going to go in for a dip till I saw this.
Lawrie

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Professor,
Pull one plug at a time and see if the knock stops or diminishes at any cylinder. If it is a rod this test would take all the pressure off the offending cylinder. Just a thought
John

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

I was looking forward to the travelogue of your trip. Sorry you couldn't take it. Fortunately, this engine problem has just come after I have taken every road trip on my bucket list - 20 total over the last 3 years. I was just thinking I'll now have to start repeating them. Then this happened. It may be that I just take a rest from "Old Henry" for a while.

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

I was hoping that. It seems like if it's just a piston breaking or a rod or something like that I could take the head and the oil pan off and replace those parts without removing the engine. That's what Old Chuckles up the street has always done. I expect he'll give me a hand if I decide to do that.

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Good idea. I'll go out and do that right now and report.

I tried to identify the piston with the problem with a stethoscope but can't hear anything through the heads. It is definitely on the drivers side though.

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

I actually had worse luck than you last year when my piston totally broke apart, gouged the cylinder, and I had to have the engine rebuilt: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104413

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Same here, Rebored all new parts. I had the machine work done and did the assembly myself. Was $$$$

Dan

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

I feel bad for you, Old Henry. But you'll figure it out, get it fixed, and be back on the road for more adventures.

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Bugger ! Sorry to hear Henry.. Mines out of action too at the mo'
NO swimmin' up there Lawrie too many snappy jaws!

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Prof.
If not for bad luck, you would not have any.
Bruce

Re: Tell me this noise isn't what I'm afraid it is.
 

Henry, For a quick test you could just pull off one spark plug lead at a time and see which cylinder causes the knock to go quieter. What a pain, always something going wrong with Old Henry. Regards, Kevin.