The Ford Barn

grizz · 06-20-2011, 12:09 PM

51 with the flathead six has a metallic knock when winding the engine thru the
gears. Cant hear it at idle or low speeds. I pulled the engine to find the cause
and after removing the starter i found the bendix spring was broken. I hate to
fix the starter and reinstall the engine and still have the noise, but also dont want to disassemble the engine needlessly. Would this make this type of noise
and does anyone have first hand experience? thanks

ford1 · 06-20-2011, 02:17 PM

a broken bendix can cause all kinds of strange noises as it is bounced back and forth between the flywheel and starter, if the engine is out pull the pan, thats easy, and check the condition of the rod bearings, and main bearings, if a lot of miles on the engine now would be the time to replace them, just my oppion

Mart · 06-20-2011, 02:38 PM

I'm thinking the noise would be lighter and higher frequency than a metallic knock. Look at the ring gear teeth - do they look like they have been contacting the broken spring or bendix?
Look for evidence on the spring for contact - it should be all shiny and knocked about if contact has been made - if old/crusty/rusty/dirty it is not the source of the noise.

Mart.

Mike51Merc · 06-20-2011, 03:22 PM

If it was me, I'd see if I could beg/borrow/steal and engine test stand.

Jack 34pu · 06-20-2011, 07:19 PM

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I had a slight deep sounding knock in an engine with low miles a few years back. It started at 50 mph and the more I drove it, the knock came in at lower speeds. One day I decided to pull the motor and check it out. It was a floating rod bearing that had split at the oil groove and the chips caused some mid damage to the bearing and crank journal.

06-20-2011, 12:09 PM	#1
grizz Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 20	engine noise discovered? 51 with the flathead six has a metallic knock when winding the engine thru the gears. Cant hear it at idle or low speeds. I pulled the engine to find the cause and after removing the starter i found the bendix spring was broken. I hate to fix the starter and reinstall the engine and still have the noise, but also dont want to disassemble the engine needlessly. Would this make this type of noise and does anyone have first hand experience? thanks

06-20-2011, 02:17 PM	#2
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: engine noise discovered? a broken bendix can cause all kinds of strange noises as it is bounced back and forth between the flywheel and starter, if the engine is out pull the pan, thats easy, and check the condition of the rod bearings, and main bearings, if a lot of miles on the engine now would be the time to replace them, just my oppion

06-20-2011, 02:38 PM	#3
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,747	Re: engine noise discovered? I'm thinking the noise would be lighter and higher frequency than a metallic knock. Look at the ring gear teeth - do they look like they have been contacting the broken spring or bendix? Look for evidence on the spring for contact - it should be all shiny and knocked about if contact has been made - if old/crusty/rusty/dirty it is not the source of the noise. Mart.

06-20-2011, 03:22 PM	#4
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: engine noise discovered? If it was me, I'd see if I could beg/borrow/steal and engine test stand.

06-20-2011, 07:19 PM	#5
Jack 34pu Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: State College, PA Posts: 362	Re: engine noise discovered? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had a slight deep sounding knock in an engine with low miles a few years back. It started at 50 mph and the more I drove it, the knock came in at lower speeds. One day I decided to pull the motor and check it out. It was a floating rod bearing that had split at the oil groove and the chips caused some mid damage to the bearing and crank journal.