The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop should a 1957 6 cyl sound like a sewing machine?

hi.

wondering why my engine sounds like a sewing machine (at least to me) and if this has a known cause - so maybe I can fix it, or have it fixed, or not worry about it

So, I have a 1957 6 cyl engine (in a 1955 3100).

engine starts and runs.
I have not taken it on the road, just around my house.
fairly smooth engine with occasional misfire (I think it is a misfire).
I changed oil, plugs, wires, etc.
if I had to guess, by the looks of it (and I know that is subjective), it has very high mileage.

overall, it is pretty good engine except for two things:

1. smoke - not a lot when idling, but if you really gun the engine out it comes. not like a big cloud of smoke that you can't see through, but enough that you say wow, there is smoke (guess I will live with that for now)

2. sounds like a sewing machine - clickety clackety. not sure if I am describing it correctly, but that is what it sounds like.

it doesn't sound like another 1957 6 cyl engine I have in a different truck. that other truck just sounds like an engine - no clickety clackety noise (or if there is, it is very very subdued).

any ideas what this might be, is it 'normal', and what I could or should do about it, or not do?

thanks in advance

so much to learn....

What is the engine serial numbers on the two engines?

Does one or the other or both of you engines have hydraulic lifters (we can tell from the engine serial number) - these were used in all 56 and later car engines. Hydraulic lifters might be quieter than mechanical lifters (which were used in all truck engines). Have you adjusted the valve lash?

In general, yes the engine will sound like certain old sewing machines. Noisier or quieter depending on the shape of the brand/year/shape of the sewing machine, and the condition of the engine and on the condition of the valve train and the adjustment of the valve lash.

Sounds to me like he may need the head and valve guides reworked as well as a lifter check....

Possibly cam gear noise too. Hope not.

If its mechanical lifters the first thing to do is adjust the valves. If it came from a car with powerglide, the valve adjustment should be checked. You may have bad lifters.

I would check all the pushrods with a precision straight edge to rule out is any are bent and need to be replaced.

Then I would do a valve adjustment.

235 push rods a crudely made (rough surfaces compared to V8 push rods). I good way to check for bent 235 push rods is to roll them on a sheet of glass and look for a wobble or a resistance to roll.

Thanks for all of the replies.


I have an update. some improvement.

I have used a product called 'Rislone' engine treatment with great success on several older engines over the years (daily drivers with 100k plus miles on them). So, I put a bottle into this engine, let it idle a while (can't drive it on the road yet - not registered), and the noise is about 50% of what it was before. that is pretty good for a $7 product.

This product claims to quiet noisy lifters and valves, so I think the replies to this thread that mention lifters and valves as a possible issue are right since the engine is a bit quieter now after the Rislone. still clickety clackety to some degree, but noticeably quieter and also a little smoother.

I am happy with that for now, but going forward:

how does one do a valve adjustment, or adjustment of the valve lash (or is that the same thing)? is there a good post on the procedure(s)?

thanks again

Have you pulled the valve cover to ensure there is oil getting to each rocker? If not, that would be a very worthwhile thing to do. If putting Rislone in the valve cover stopped alot of it, could be they are running dry.

A few friends of mine put together a nice how-to for valve adjustments (yes they are the same thing) here:

http://devestechnet.com/Home/ValveAdjust

You need to know if you have hydraulic or solid lifters to proceed.

You need to get to the bottom of what is causing the noise. Rislone may or may not be a fantastic product, but throwing it at an unknown causal agent, is like throwing a handful of tools into the engine bay in hopes of them doing a tuneup. I don't see where you have indicated whether you have hydraulic or mechanical lifters. Without that information, I can't offer you any further guidance.
Carl

I do not know what I have in the way of lifters. I am not very knowledgeable in that area (at least not yet). The Rislone was a 'why not' thing that would not do any harm.


engine serial number is
FI2IHE

Flint
Jan(1) 21st
HE (regular production 4000)
?

code on side of engine by the starter is

A157

January(1) 15th,
1957?

so, I think it is a 1957 engine in a 1955.

I will pull off the valve cover and take a look to see if it is running dry.


when I first got it I changed the oil and it looked bad - thick and very black (and I am no stranger to dirty oil), so I am assuming it did not get much care.

thanks

HE = 4000 series or other truck with RPO 227 - heavy duty clutch

It is an engine that came in a 3100-3800 1957 truck engine with the heavy duty clutch option. It would have had mechanical/solid lifters.

Here is the Stovebolt.com Tech Tip for adjusting valve lash.

Here is another explanation for adjusting valve lash.

Be sure to check the contact area of the rocker arms where they contact the valve stem ends for deep wear notches. Your standard width feeler gauges will bridge across these notches, resulting in excessive clearance, hence excessive racket.
Carl