I have a '46 Chevy Pickup with a '53 235 straight six and when I am out cruising and there is NO load on the engine I get a chattering noise from the engine. I run a 10w 50 oil and I always add a lead substitute when I get gas. I would appreciate any tips.
A side note can you use a timing light on a 6 volt battery?
1946 1/2 ton Chevy Pickup 1954 235 cu in 3 speed on the floor
I use a small 12V motorcycle battery to power my timing light and trigger the flash with either the #1 or #6 spark plug wire, whichever one is convenient to reach. Just run a ground wire from the negative post of the battery to the vehicle frame or engine.
Running a 10 weight oil in a stovebolt engine probably isn't a good idea. No matter what the "high" viscosity number is, the oil is going to be too thin to give the parts a good cushioning film of lubricant to ride on. I use 15W-40 in everything we own, including lawn mowers, cars, trucks, motorcycles, generators, etc. No problems yet! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
The way you describe it doesn't sound like valve noise. It may be too much timing. Try driving it with the vacuum line disconnected. If it doesn't chatter then it is a timing problem. Too much total advance. If thats not it it may be a little piston slap. If that is the case it will be more when the engine is cold & less after it warms up. George
Last edited by Wrenchbender Ret.; 03/14/20214:15 PM.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super In the Gallery Forum
The way you describe it doesn't sound like valve noise. It may be too much timing. Try driving it with the vacuum line disconnected. If it doesn't chatter then it is a timing problem. Too much total advance. If thats not it it may be a little piston slap. If that is the case it will be more when the engine is cold & less after it warms up. George
Thanks, I hope it's not piston slap. It is actually not noisy when it'd cold but gets louder when it warms up.
1946 1/2 ton Chevy Pickup 1954 235 cu in 3 speed on the floor
Just for grins, try changing oil to a straight 30 weight for a while. If the noise goes away or moderates noticeably, you're hearing rod bearing noise when the engine is at a "float"- - - -neither accelerating nor coasting. Stovebolt engines and water-thin oil don't play well together! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Gary P If that engine is a 'dipper' you may have to become a "shimmer" if so it is best to do one at a time so things dont get mixed-up ! If shim should be able to fix it up in good shape. Also if you have the pan off check piston clearance from below with a feeler gauge to get some idea of wear wont be able to tell much about taper that way but if a .004 or.005 will go in there that's plenty !
Just for grins, try changing oil to a straight 30 weight for a while. If the noise goes away or moderates noticeably, you're hearing rod bearing noise when the engine is at a "float"- - - -neither accelerating nor coasting. Stovebolt engines and water-thin oil don't play well together! Jerry
thanks. I just changed from a straight 30 weight to the blend. Oh it is 15w 40 weight. no change. not what I stated earlier. I replace the oil pump a few years ago and I don't drive it much. I'm thinking that it's a valve adjustment but I'm not sure.
1946 1/2 ton Chevy Pickup 1954 235 cu in 3 speed on the floor
