The Ford Barn

Bill H. · 06-16-2010, 01:46 PM

While cruising along around 30 - 35, I hear a "ticking" noise from the engine. When I retard the spark lever just a couple of degrees, the noise goes away. What's wrong?

Special Coupe Frank · 06-16-2010, 02:14 PM

When you hear the ticking-noise, if you let-off the accelerator slightly, does the noise lessen / disappear ?

If so, it sounds like "pinging" from a little too much advance ?

( Just speaking from my post-Model A upbringing ... my Ford has so many knocks and rattles that I keep expecting to see hay-bales popping-out the rumble-seat ! )

Rainmaker Ron · 06-16-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill H.

While cruising along around 30 - 35, I hear a "ticking" noise from the engine. When I retard the spark lever just a couple of degrees, the noise goes away. What's wrong?

Sometimes a particular noise will never be found. I have noted that loose wrist pins will quiet down by retarding the spark. Experiment at engine speeds just above an idle.
Rainmaker Ron

Bruce · 06-16-2010, 03:35 PM

I agree with Ron. Also, if you have a police or other high(er) compression head, your car will likely require less spark advance. This is especially true up hills or into a head wind. Notch it back a couple.

Karl · 06-16-2010, 04:53 PM

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I get a ticking noise in my coupe but seems independent of advance or retard I didn't notice it until I installed the original vacuum wiper. I'm sure the noise is just normal valve train noise that is now being transfered up the vacuum line to resonant on the firewall . Now I don't even notice it . It is my experience with hard to locate rattles and noises in cars they either go away on there own or get so bad its easy to identify them and fix them . Karl

06-16-2010, 01:46 PM	#1
Bill H. Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chatsworth, California Posts: 71	Engine noise While cruising along around 30 - 35, I hear a "ticking" noise from the engine. When I retard the spark lever just a couple of degrees, the noise goes away. What's wrong?

06-16-2010, 02:14 PM	#2
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Engine noise When you hear the ticking-noise, if you let-off the accelerator slightly, does the noise lessen / disappear ? If so, it sounds like "pinging" from a little too much advance ? ( Just speaking from my post-Model A upbringing ... my Ford has so many knocks and rattles that I keep expecting to see hay-bales popping-out the rumble-seat ! )

06-16-2010, 03:35 PM	#4
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 489	Re: Engine noise I agree with Ron. Also, if you have a police or other high(er) compression head, your car will likely require less spark advance. This is especially true up hills or into a head wind. Notch it back a couple.

06-16-2010, 04:53 PM	#5
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Engine noise Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I get a ticking noise in my coupe but seems independent of advance or retard I didn't notice it until I installed the original vacuum wiper. I'm sure the noise is just normal valve train noise that is now being transfered up the vacuum line to resonant on the firewall . Now I don't even notice it . It is my experience with hard to locate rattles and noises in cars they either go away on there own or get so bad its easy to identify them and fix them . Karl