Carburetor Whine

[Wilbur]

There is a high pitched whine sound coming from my carb at idle. This is a newly acquired car. Should l be looking for an intake leak?

[Dave in Boise]

I have heard them whine, whistle and gurgle.. all fairly normal.. if you suspect a vacuum leak, try a little spritz of starting fluid around the joints or suspected leak spots while it idles.. if the idle changes, you have discovered the leak (if any)

Best of luck and enjoy your new toy!

- Dave

[Flathead]

Sounds like it, if it has a Tillotson carb. be sure the mounting flange isn't warped.

[juke joint johnny]

Is it a 28 Double Venturi carb ? They make a different sound than the later ones

John Cochran

[Wilbur]

I'm not sure what kind it is at this point. All I see on it is "model X". The idea of spraying a fluid it the gasket areas sound great.

[gweilbaker]

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That's because there isn't an air filter to muffle the sound. I use the noise to diagnose how well things are by the different sounds.

[Patrick L.]

Model X,, sure 'sounds' like you have a Tillotson. From what describe its hard to say what is wrong, if anything. The flanges are famous for warping, but, easily corrected. A spray of ether/start fluid is in order.

[[email protected]]

Since it has the "X" on it you most likely have a Pot Metal Tillotson carburetor. Over the years lots of guys have over tightened the mounting to the Intake Manifold flanges. This warps the carburetor flange not to mention the chance of stripping out the threads. It is not hard to remove the carb to inspect it with a straight edge. If it is warped there then it is not hard to sand it flat again by using a sheet of sandpaper laid down on a perfectly flat surface such as a mirror or piece of glass. You have to hold the throttle assembly out of the way or remove the assembly by removing the two small screws. Remove the throttle disk and pull out the shaft. You can see your results of your sanding on the soft metal so sand it until you see that it is perfectly flat all over. Blow off any sand dust.

When you put the throttle shaft back in the carburetor you can also try to wrap a short length of teflon pipe tape around both ends before rocking it back into the carb body. If your tolerances are tight you will not be able to do this. If you can then this will help to seal any air leakage from the throttle shaft. This can be a temporary fix if you wish to order later a replacement oversized throttle shaft or replacement bushings for a professional job and not a farmer fix......

Use a new gasket when mounting back onto car. I usually coat this gasket with Vaseolene. Tight to snug.. Run car and tighten to snug again after a heat cycle. Your idle may now be different without the air leaks so adjust the carb so it is happy.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Wilbur

I'm not sure what kind it is at this point. All I see on it is "model X". The idea of spraying a fluid it the gasket areas sound great.

Wilbur & All,
Use a cheap stethescope with the probe removed, just the open hose. It'll find the EXACT spot that's leaking!!! Yes, I repeat myself a LOT, part of gettin' OLD Does anyone listen to good proven helps?? (Buster T. just LAUGHED, AGAIN!! "Don't get smart assed, DOG, you're 40 now, you know!) Bill W.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Model X,, sure 'sounds' like you have a Tillotson. From what describe its hard to say what is wrong, if anything. The flanges are famous for warping, but, easily corrected. A spray of ether/start fluid is in order.

Pat,
And warping is worse when using those thick copper gaskets! Use a paper thin gasket & maybe a thin smear of RTV, done tastefully, of course, like NO HANGIN' out BLOBS Buster T.

[Wilbur]

A new flange gasket cured the issue. The old was very brittle and the bolts were loose. She sounds great now and we just got back from a little 40 mile cruise. Thanks guys.

[Flathead]

Glad you got it fixed!

[allen]

Fixed many of these just take a bastard file large one work the top untill flat and no more warp

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Wilbur

A new flange gasket cured the issue. The old was very brittle and the bolts were loose. She sounds great now and we just got back from a little 40 mile cruise. Thanks guys.

Wilbur,
Thanks for reporting back, many DON'T, even after gettin' help from our "BRILLIANT SUGGESTIONS." You're a true gentleman! Bill W.