Hi Folks!
Spring is just around the corner here in central Germany and I took my 55 series 2 long wheel base out for a shakedown cruise.
I've got several thoughts that I'd like to discuss with other bolters. There doesn't seem to be anybody here with enough stovebolt experience to help. Here goes:
1. When I start my Stovebolt,I very briefly hear lots of bearing noise (knocks). When it gets warm,there is no knocking at idle. Depending on how long it has been shut off, it may also knock very briefly(shorter than on cold start)when warm and I start it.Oil pressure is always very good and I am running 15W-40 oil. Friends say this is probably normal. It doesn't smoke or use lots of gas. It has 76,000 miles on the motor. Is this normal?
2. When warmed up and I drive it a little faster I hear lots of engine/tranny noise above 40-45mph. Doesn't sound like bearings.It's more like a rattling noise.Could this be the rocker arms. How can I check this? Compression check shows all 6 cylinders equal. Idle and general performance are very good. It also starts right up every time without any problems.Tranny is rebuilt, clutch and throwout bearing are new.
3. Last year I had a severe chassis vibration above 45mph. Discovered that my driveshaft u-joints were not installed correctly.They weren't in the same plane. I corrected this and reduced the vibration substantially.HOWEVER there is still a bit and I am wondering what could cause this.The universal joints seem to be OK as does the support bearing.Could they have been damaged last year when the driveshaft was out of phase?Is there something I am overlooking? Could the motor mounts be bad or maybe the harmonic balancer? How can I find out what causes the vibrations? Tires are new and balanced.
Many Thanks!!
