46 Ford Coupe Groans upon deceleration

[Jacobs1946]

Hoping someone out there might be able to help me diagnose this noise?!?
I have a '46 Coupe with the V8. All original down to the 6 volt system.
Runs awesome.
When accelerating, it sounds perfect. When you let off the gas, there is a groaning noise coming from the transmission area.
The person I bought it from said it was a universal joint that was worn.
I changed that and did find there was no bolt and washer holding the U Joint to the transmission output shaft. I bought the special bolt and washer from CW Moss, and installed it.
I've changed all motor mounts, new clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing.
When the motor and transmission was out, I checked the input and output shaft on the transmission. Seemed tight. The torque tube bearings seemed tight. The rear end doesn't seem to have any noise, (it's the original banjo type).
Also, when I disengage the clutch, the groaning noise is less loud or goes away completely.
Several things on google say it could be a worn pinon bearing, but the noise comes from under the front floor. Any ideas?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

I have a '46 Coupe with the V8. All original down to the 6 volt system. Runs awesome.

[Jacobs1946]

That's a good one! Made me laugh out loud!

[V8COOPMAN]

.

The noise you describe is indicative of a pinion bearing going south. These undercar noises can be downright elusive when it comes to pinpointing location. Many times a rear end noise can sound like its coming from the area of the transmission. You may need to have a friend ride with you in an attempt to track this noise down.

Coop

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[Jacobs1946]

Thank you! I had a buddy ride with me and stick his head out the window. He claims the noise is absolutely coming from the rear-end. These gremlins are the pits! I'll pull the rear and tear it down. Hard to find anyone locally that will work on these old banjo units. Luckily there's a few videos on uTube that detail this job. I'll check back with the outcome!

[V8COOPMAN]

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Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

Thank you! I had a buddy ride with me and stick his head out the window. He claims the noise is absolutely coming from the rear-end. These gremlins are the pits! I'll pull the rear and tear it down. Hard to find anyone locally that will work on these old banjo units. Luckily there's a few videos on uTube that detail this job. I'll check back with the outcome!

That torque tube can easily transmit noises from the rear toward what sounds like the trans. Thanks for checking back, and please keep us informed of your progress. There are not many folks around the country that commercially repair the banjo rears, certainly not the local corner "fix-your-car place". You're kind of on your own with this. Remember that you can always come back here with questions. Lots of GOOD experience here at the 'Barn!




Coop

.

[MuskegonFlatheadFan]

Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

Hard to find anyone locally that will work on these old banjo units.

If Michigan is close to you, I just had mine done at the Gas Axe Garage in St. John

[Jacobs1946]

Unfortunately not. Eastern Washington State. I have yet to find anyone around here that will do the job. Might be on my own!

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

Unfortunately not. Eastern Washington State. I have yet to find anyone around here that will do the job. Might be on my own!

Here's a thought for you. "The Hot Rod Works" is located in Caldwell, Idaho. Their entire business is modeled around old Ford BANJO rear ends. They modify and build parts to modify these rears to the "nth-degree". In other words, there is likely nobody on the planet more qualified to work on these rears. Only 278 miles from Spokane. Their contact info BELOW.

Hot Rod Works
3719 Lake Ave.
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
Phone: 1-208-455-7971
Email: [email protected]

Their website BELOW!

https://hotrodworks.com/product/banj...le-conversion/

Coop

.

[drolston]

I will do almost any job on an early ford. Except rebuild a banjo. Tricky business! If there is any way to get that car to Hot Rod Works, I advise you go that way.



Depending on your driving habits and environment you might consider replacing the ring gear and pinion for better highway cruising and gas mileage. I went to a 3.25 but that is too tall for a stock engine. Maybe 3.54?



And while you are at it, have them put Lincoln/Boling brakes on at least the front end.



Don't you love how free I am with your money?

[Jacobs1946]

Thanks all for steering me in the right direction with the pinion bearing. Here's what I found when I slid the torque tube off. Bearing is a tad loose!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

Thanks all for steering me in the right direction with the pinion bearing. Here's what I found when I slid the torque tube off. Bearing is a tad loose!

[ford38v8]

OMG. It's a wonder it didn't totally explode while still on the road!

[Jacobs1946]

I know! Was surprised to see the lock nuts had loosened all the way to the couplng. The lock washers gave way somehow. What is weird is that there was no noise upon acceleration. Hopefully the ring gear and pinion gear are ok. I'm about to see!

[alanwoodieman]

had the same thing happen in a 41 pick up--the coupling pin broke, a piece of it became lodged in the torque tube and engaged the nuts, when the owner backed up the truck the nuts were backed off the pinion-we ran the nuts back up tight, replaced the broken pin and he is driving it almost everyday

[19Fordy]

It seems that Hot Rod Works is for sale according to current owner. Open and scroll down.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...works.1296784/

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

Unfortunately not. Eastern Washington State. I have yet to find anyone around here that will do the job. Might be on my own!

Check the Early Ford V-8 Club site for the regional group in Spokane. They have a fairly large group and there is probably someone in that group that can help you fix the rear end. www.earlyfordv8.org. Look in the Regional Directory

[47topless]

While you're at it, you might consider sourcing a Columbia 2 SPD for the rear. A wonderful upgrade.
Phil

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Jacobs1946

What is weird is that there was no noise upon acceleration.

That's the nature of that particular malady and is a tell-tale clue pointing toward that problem.

Coop

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[GB SISSON]

I just found this while searching why my 3 speed trans sounds like it is ratcheting on decelleration. It happened all the sudden last weekend when my wife and I were heading to town in the woodie. Never any sounds before. We live on the side of a mountain so we start off with a 1/2 mile of steep downhill. We were able to turn around and drive back. Since this is essentially a '47 1/2 ton pickup, it has open driveline with stock trans and rear end. I will add that I could definately feel the 'ratcheting' clacking sound through the floor shift knob. Thinking it was the transmission (and it still may be) I kinda thought this might be a good excuse to go T-5 as the vehicle is far from stock anyway. Since the driveline is open, should I be able to diagnose the rear differential by movement in the rear yoke?