The Ford Barn

Mikes ‘53 · 09-01-2019, 05:40 PM

Just had my 94 Holley rebuilt and fired up the motor and now I have a terrible whining noise. Sounds like a small jet turbine! Can’t figure out where it’s coming from. Gasket to the intake manifold is new (double-checked that!). Thought it might be my alternator so I took that belt off and it wasn’t that. I’m running out of ideas. If anyone has any suggestions for this novice it would be greatly appreciated!

19Fordy · 09-01-2019, 05:43 PM

Most likely a vacuum leak in the carb or intake. Spray some WD-40 around the carb and intake while engine running to see if it goes away. Did you install a new carb to intake gasket and snug down the bolts? Also check for any vacuum hose leaks.

Gary in La. · 09-01-2019, 06:18 PM

A common problem with the 94 is a slightly warped surface on the body where it meets the surface of the cast iron base thus creating a vacuum leak. It only takes a slight variation to produce the whine. Usually a result of over tightening the screws. Most always the base should be trued up on a surface plate when rebuilding. I've had the problem and have spent much time trying to locate that obnoxious whine.

Mikes ‘53 · 09-01-2019, 06:52 PM

Would you recommend I take the carb apart and loosen everything up then reassemble on the intake manifold? Not sure how to tackle this. Thanks!

Ross F-1 · 09-01-2019, 06:59 PM

I wonder if the rebuilder used the wrong style power valve, and it is preventing the bowl section from seating on the throttle section?

Mikes ‘53 · 09-01-2019, 07:11 PM

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Rebuilder used all the correct parts. I bought the rebuild kit and gave it to him. He matched up all the parts as he went and gave me back all the old stuff.

JSeery · 09-01-2019, 07:20 PM

But, again, the power valve can be tricky. They look very similar and unless it was modified to work not sure there are off-the-shelf ones that seat correctly.

Gary in La. · 09-01-2019, 07:21 PM

If you have pretty much eliminated a vac leak from the various vac hoses I think it would be wise to remove the carb and take the body off the throttle base. Then place it on a true smooth surface like a pane of glass and check for total contact. If not severe you could true it up with real fine sandpaper on the glass and firmly moving the body mating surface over it . Don't over - do tightening of the screws.

A bones · 09-01-2019, 07:43 PM

Before attacking anything, use a hearing enhancement. Say a wood dowel, a large screw driver, or socket extension. Best though, see if your friendly neighborhood nurse will loan a stethoscope. Best luck.

40cpe · 09-01-2019, 07:48 PM

I use a mechanic stethoscope with the probe removed and listen around with the hose.

19Fordy · 09-02-2019, 12:10 PM

I would first try installing 2 gaskets on the intake manifold under the carb. Snug them down equally. Then follow the other ideas mentioned doing only one change at a time.

philipswanson · 09-02-2019, 02:58 PM

Cut a 4 ft. length of garden hose and probe it around. You will find it.

Ken/Alabama · 09-02-2019, 03:47 PM

Probably where the carb body meets the iron base at the front. Might try tightening the front screw.

Ggmac · 09-02-2019, 03:57 PM

With the motor running , use some foaming gunk , it'll be visible when it's sucked in .

philipswanson · 09-02-2019, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ggmac

With the motor running , use some foaming gunk , it'll be visible when it's sucked in .

That will only work if its a vacuum leak.

Ggmac · 09-03-2019, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipswanson

That will only work if its a vacuum leak.

True , but it'll leave the motor clean !

51woodie · 09-03-2019, 04:19 PM

When I am looking for an intake/vacuum leak, I use a hand held propane torch. Start the engine, and leave it idle. Turn on the torch valve a bit and pass the nozzle close to the base and sides of the carb/manifold and vacuum hose/s. If there is a leak the engine will speed up. Depending on the engine, you may have to use a piece of cardboard to deflect the air from the fan away from the carb when doing the test.

09-01-2019, 05:40 PM	#1
Mikes ‘53 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 7	Whining noise from my 8BA Just had my 94 Holley rebuilt and fired up the motor and now I have a terrible whining noise. Sounds like a small jet turbine! Can’t figure out where it’s coming from. Gasket to the intake manifold is new (double-checked that!). Thought it might be my alternator so I took that belt off and it wasn’t that. I’m running out of ideas. If anyone has any suggestions for this novice it would be greatly appreciated!

09-01-2019, 05:43 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,923	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA Most likely a vacuum leak in the carb or intake. Spray some WD-40 around the carb and intake while engine running to see if it goes away. Did you install a new carb to intake gasket and snug down the bolts? Also check for any vacuum hose leaks.

09-01-2019, 06:18 PM	#3
Gary in La. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 866	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA A common problem with the 94 is a slightly warped surface on the body where it meets the surface of the cast iron base thus creating a vacuum leak. It only takes a slight variation to produce the whine. Usually a result of over tightening the screws. Most always the base should be trued up on a surface plate when rebuilding. I've had the problem and have spent much time trying to locate that obnoxious whine.

09-01-2019, 06:52 PM	#4
Mikes ‘53 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 7	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA Would you recommend I take the carb apart and loosen everything up then reassemble on the intake manifold? Not sure how to tackle this. Thanks!

09-01-2019, 06:59 PM	#5
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA I wonder if the rebuilder used the wrong style power valve, and it is preventing the bowl section from seating on the throttle section? __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

09-01-2019, 07:11 PM	#6
Mikes ‘53 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 7	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Rebuilder used all the correct parts. I bought the rebuild kit and gave it to him. He matched up all the parts as he went and gave me back all the old stuff.

09-01-2019, 07:20 PM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA But, again, the power valve can be tricky. They look very similar and unless it was modified to work not sure there are off-the-shelf ones that seat correctly.

09-01-2019, 07:21 PM	#8
Gary in La. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 866	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA If you have pretty much eliminated a vac leak from the various vac hoses I think it would be wise to remove the carb and take the body off the throttle base. Then place it on a true smooth surface like a pane of glass and check for total contact. If not severe you could true it up with real fine sandpaper on the glass and firmly moving the body mating surface over it . Don't over - do tightening of the screws.

09-01-2019, 07:43 PM	#9
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,282	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA Before attacking anything, use a hearing enhancement. Say a wood dowel, a large screw driver, or socket extension. Best though, see if your friendly neighborhood nurse will loan a stethoscope. Best luck. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

09-01-2019, 07:48 PM	#10
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA I use a mechanic stethoscope with the probe removed and listen around with the hose.

09-02-2019, 12:10 PM	#11
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,923	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA I would first try installing 2 gaskets on the intake manifold under the carb. Snug them down equally. Then follow the other ideas mentioned doing only one change at a time.

09-02-2019, 02:58 PM	#12
philipswanson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bonita, CA Posts: 1,374	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA Cut a 4 ft. length of garden hose and probe it around. You will find it.

09-02-2019, 03:47 PM	#13
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,257	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA Probably where the carb body meets the iron base at the front. Might try tightening the front screw.

09-02-2019, 03:57 PM	#14
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,088	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA With the motor running , use some foaming gunk , it'll be visible when it's sucked in .

09-03-2019, 04:19 PM	#17
51woodie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada Posts: 528	Re: Whining noise from my 8BA When I am looking for an intake/vacuum leak, I use a hand held propane torch. Start the engine, and leave it idle. Turn on the torch valve a bit and pass the nozzle close to the base and sides of the carb/manifold and vacuum hose/s. If there is a leak the engine will speed up. Depending on the engine, you may have to use a piece of cardboard to deflect the air from the fan away from the carb when doing the test.