Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

My engine sounds like it knocks around 40 to 45 when you level off on the throttle is this normal thanks

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Have you experimented with different spark lever settings? I know mine doesn't do that.
"Normal" is an obscure item with these individuals... Chap

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Hi Ronnie,
Mine does that as well. Travelling uphill, I can put my foot down and easily pick up speed to 60, no problem. During straight and level cruise and I lift my foot, ie having the inertia of the car pushing the engine, I also have this horrible knock.
With the oil pan off, I found that my crank can move forward about a 1/4 inch and that the trusts have all been knocked off and laying in the oil pan.
The guy who rebuilt my engine about 2000 miles ago, says that is normal, no need to worry.
I say BS. He did a crappy rebuild.
I might be wrong and would like to hear other comments.

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Yes, definitely BS

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

TKS Ryan

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Not right for sure!

2000 miles on a rebuild.... obviously not done correctly!

While we were on the MFACA Canyonland tour in October we had to pull out of the tour on the third day due to a developing knock while under load. Now this rebuild is 23 years old with 45,000 miles!!! We found pieces of babbit in the oil so out it comes. So you see a properly rebuilt engine can go a long ways in a Model A !!

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Are you satisfied with 45,000 miles as the life of a model A engine? Not being a jerk as I have no idea what one should expect as the road conditions are very different for most A's now than when they were new.

Floats, sorry to hear your engine was built by someone who was either ignorant or a crook.

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

I think there is too many factors in roads, driving, and rebuilding to aay how long an engine will last.

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Floats, Berts sells a bronze "rear main seal" that has a strong thrust surface on it. It is in their new catalog. Engine has to be removed but it should work. Good Luck

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Gee, what do you have in that motor, what Rear gears" 60MPH

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Thanks Dan,
I’ll follow up on the bronze rear main.

Russ,
I have a lower ratio in my Pickup and I have a Kilometre speedo, but you are correct 60 is a bit of a fib. Please accept my humble apologies.
However, the point remains that I have a bad knock when the energy and inertia of the car is driving the engine.

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Thinking back, my old engine did roughly the same thing. No idea how many miles were on it, old old rebuild. But it would knock when coasting, hard on the throttle it sounded and pulled great. Thrust bearing was very worn out, center main was missing large chunks and the rod bearings were all flaking apart. Hard to say what was actually making noise, probably everything :D


I hope the bronze thrust replacement works out for you. Have you contacted the rebuilder again?

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Sounds crazy but it could be the distributor. I had a similar problem; the knock/annoying noise eased when I let off the gas. Read in one of the books or forums that the distributor could be the problem; replaced the distributor and the knock/noise disappeared and has not reappeared in the 3000 miles since. Worth a look. Good luck

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Thanks Gents,
I am in the UK for a few months. I will certainly look into all the suggestions and report back once I return to South Africa.
Happy Christmas to all

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

Get your money back for the babbitt job, and labor for taking it out, gaskets, all the parts to clean the block out. The only thing normal is he doesn't know how to babbitt, like a lot of other shops!!!!!!!!!!

Herm.

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

It should have been longer then that!

Herm.

Re: Engine in my 1929 tudor sounds like it knocks
 

One thing most Guys don't think about.

If a Model A runs mostly at 45 miles an hour, the crank will expand at least, .002.

If run mostly at 60 M.P. H., the crank will expand at least another .001 to .001-50.

A Model T with a 1 1/4, on mains and rods, as a norm will be running with .003 to .003-25 thousandths clearance.

It would be much less, as we know, with an oil pump.

So, the bottom line is, the engine running at 45, will have a greater oil clearance, then when running 60, in the same engine.

So a Babbitt job that hasn't been peened, or peened incorrectly, don't stand much of a chance, as the crank will peen it for you, and they do an awfully poor job of it.

Herm.