Newly-rebuilt engine making a terrible noise

[LizardsA]

Good day,

A friend of mine has just fired up a newly-rebuilt Model A engine, but a most alarming noise comes from the engine once it runs.

I would like to attach a video clip of the process of the car starting up and running momentarily, but there is a limit on file size.

Please can someone help with what is going on here?

Mike
Johannesburg, South Africa

[Jacksonlll]

Put the video on youtube and put the link in here.

[31Tudor]

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

here we go again.
do not run it and take it back to the rebuilder

Exactly right, the engine rebuilder has to be brought into this before you do anything!

[Patrick L.]

Was a qt of oil dumped thru the distributor mounting hole prior to starting it ?

How long was the engine run ?

But, I would still recommend talking to the rebuilder.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

If it's a high pitched squeal I would suspect the spring plunger under the timing gear cover, the oil hole may be plugged, Easy to check but without hearing the noise hard to evaluate, talk to the rebuilder first.

[C26Pinelake]

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was it rebuilt by a professional rebuilder or a backyard grease monkey? Wayne

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Barry. I heard the same high pitched squeal on a rebuilt engine, and it took several short engine runs before the noised finally quit.

[katy]

the oil hole may be plugged,

Could you elaborate for a novice.
TIA, Ken

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

High pitched squeals are normally dry rings, and they will very in sound with the up and down movement of the engine turning over.

Dry distributor bushings, tend to be a steady squeal.

Herm.

[1929]

I am also hearing a screeching noise coming from the front of the engine, this started at the end of the initial break-in of the engine. I took off the belt, thinking it was either the generator or water pump. I did put a quart of oil in the distributor mounting hole before starting. I still hear the noise.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Originally Posted by katy

Could you elaborate for a novice.
TIA, Ken

Check the oil hole inside the timing cover, it is located at the front of the camshaft where the spring plunger rides. I had one that was blocked with sludge and the spring plunger was dry and wearing out the bored hole for the plunger.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 1929

I am also hearing a screeching noise coming from the front of the engine, this started at the end of the initial break-in of the engine. I took off the belt, thinking it was either the generator or water pump. I did put a quart of oil in the distributor mounting hole before starting. I still hear the noise.

My first guess is the cam plunger is the cause, but first squirt some oil on the front crankshaft seal and on the motor mount to crossmember to be sure they aren't the cause. Also make sure the crank pulley isn't rubbing the front motor mount.

[1929]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

My first guess is the cam plunger is the cause, but first squirt some oil on the front crankshaft seal and on the motor mount to crossmember to be sure they aren't the cause. Also make sure the crank pulley isn't rubbing the front motor mount.

I have the rope seal, which was a tough fit. The cam plunger is new, and the housing was clean before installation. I was observing the area of the crank pulley yesterday, because it sounded like it was rubbing the motor mount. I will try a squirt of oil as you said Tom.

[katy]

Those rope seals should be soaked in oil before installing.

[1929]

I guess the plunger is the problem. I removed the cover and noticed a very dry plunger with minor powder like material that looks like its from the cork seal, it might have clogged the very small hole where the plunger sits.

[chrisabes]

An easy way of locating the region of the noise is to use a short length of hose pipe. Hold one end to your ear and move the other end to various parts of the engine. The sound will be concentrated and you will be able to pinpoint the area that the noise is coming from.
Caution: Avoid the "danger" areas, fan, generator pulley and crankshaft pulley.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Even with the hole plugged the flow of oil over the front dam in the valve galley should keep the plunger oiled by letting oil in through the X grooves on the face of the plunger. Is the valve chamber full of oil and do the timing gears look well oiled?

[1929]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Even with the hole plugged the flow of oil over the front dam in the valve galley should keep the plunger oiled by letting oil in through the X grooves on the face of the plunger. Is the valve chamber full of oil and do the timing gears look well oiled?

Only the plunger area looked dry.

[Ed in Maine]

Just throwing out a guess like everyone else, maybe a bolt that is too long holding the starter in place rubbing up against the flywheel??? Ed