Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-26-2020, 06:07 PM   #1
rivcokid
Senior Member
 
rivcokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 171
Default Scraping noise from engine

Hi all - when I start up my 1931 roadster, I hear a very audible noise that I can only describe as a scraping noise coming from the engine. It is cyclical and does not increase/decrease with engine rpm. There is no effect on performance, and after a few minutes it goes away and the engine sounds fine. I may not be doing the description of the noise much justice, but that's kind of what it sounds like. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
rivcokid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2020, 06:17 PM   #2
Sunnybrook Farm
Senior Member
 
Sunnybrook Farm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 409
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

You might start by taking the tension off of the fan belt and slipping it off the generator pulley to see if it is coming from that area of the engine.
Sunnybrook Farm is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-26-2020, 10:40 PM   #3
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Use a broom handle as a stethoscope, see if you can narrow down where the noise is coming from. Careful around the belt and fan, if still makes it with the belt off trouble shoot with the belt off for safety purposes.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2020, 12:35 PM   #4
rivcokid
Senior Member
 
rivcokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 171
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Thanks - will try this weekend
rivcokid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2020, 02:39 PM   #5
Marshall V. Daut
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 2,083
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Check your private messages in the upper right corner of this webpage.
Marshall
Marshall V. Daut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2020, 04:01 PM   #6
rivcokid
Senior Member
 
rivcokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 171
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Hi all - Well, as it turned out, the noise had nothing to do with the fan belt, which seems to be fine. The distributor had apparently not been oiled recently, or enough. When I pulled out the oil pin and put rather a bit of oil into it, the noise all but went away. After driving it for a while, it was very quiet except under a load. I don't know if that will go away by itself after I drive it more, or if the distributor will need to be removed and rebuilt. Either way, that was the cause. Thanks much for your help!
rivcokid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 08:37 AM   #7
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Add some more oil to the fitting on the dist.
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 10:56 AM   #8
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Glad you found the trouble. Myself in your situation I'd be pulling that distributor and look it over.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 11:26 AM   #9
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,432
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

I once saw an adaption of a cup type oiler to a Model "A" distributor on this forum. For touring, the oil cup is a good idea.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Oiler Cup.jpg (12.9 KB, 20 views)
__________________
Bob Bidonde

Last edited by Bob Bidonde; 05-24-2020 at 11:34 AM.
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 12:37 PM   #10
Jacksonlll
Senior Member
 
Jacksonlll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC
Posts: 1,686
Send a message via ICQ to Jacksonlll
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Your upper bushing may be worn. If you can move the cam under the rotor sideways at all, replace the bushings. Easy job.
Jacksonlll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 02:02 PM   #11
rivcokid
Senior Member
 
rivcokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 171
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Thanks again. I'll get right on that bushing and see if it just needs oil or replacing.
rivcokid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 08:45 AM   #12
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

If you do not want to rebuild your own, here is an option, allows you to reuse some of the parts on your distributor. $40 + $35 refundable core charge.



https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...&category_id=0
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 09:46 AM   #13
rivcokid
Senior Member
 
rivcokid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 171
Default Re: Scraping noise from engine

Hi all - well, those who know better (i.e. all of you and not me) prevailed! I oiled the bushing inside the distributor and VOILA! no more noise at all - at idle or under a load.

Thanks again!!
rivcokid is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:40 PM.