Hi guys, There's a noticeable tick-tick-tick sound coming from the 3600 engine, but the sound is only apparent at higher speeds, not at idle. I'm not sure if this is a case of noisy lifters or the fact that the exhaust pipe is missing and the muffler has a hole in it. Here's a video of the truck running. Notice at around 1:33 when the truck is going down that hill, you can hear a tick tick tick ticking.
IF this is valve noise, is it safe to drive the truck in this condition/it's just more of an obnoxious sound or can damage be done the more the truck runs?
A 216 ticks like an overwound sewing machine when driving down the road. It's hard to tell with the road noise, but so long as the lifters are adjusted properly, my guess is you will be fine.
Engine block reads AHCMI52639. Door post reads 2HRD2707.
Transmission reads C cong (?) 5 C210 GM 591665
The firewall doesn't have the H embossment, it's flat. Signifying a 49(?). Any idea what's going on here? This always confused me, truck appears all original.
According to this website: it says it should be a 235. Unless I'm just reading it wrong. Actually, I think I am interpreting this wrong, because on another part of the page, it says AHCM is 3600 216 engine.
If I do have a 216, the tick is common? It sort of sounds like a wind up toy. IF the lifters are out of whack, does it hurt to drive the truck in the meantime?
Valve train noise for any Chevy should be barely audible if not having excess wear and properly adjusted. If it has hyd lifters it should be inaudible. A noisy valve train is wearing itself out quicker than normal as the click is the proof of harsh metal to metal contact. Excessive clearance is the cause and may be the result of accumulated wear or improper adjustment. The worst sudden result can be broken off valve head/stem caused by the valve dropping onto the seat instead of controlled closing. Accelerated wear of all componants and valve seat receding are slower results. To correct, smooth or replace worn surfaces like valve tip,pushrod tip,rocker pad where it contacts valve, rocker and shaft wear---then set the clearance properly.
I've listened to your you tube recording , and I am sure that there is the sound of a loose tappet there , it may be caused by worn bushing, worn shaft or bent pushrod , either way , the engine IS capable of running quiet when its all adjusted correctly.
My 216 cannot be heard at 40mph (over the wind noise and engine fan noise :)) so I think your truck can be made much better and I think you should get right in there and fix it .
Also as enginenut says above .
The shop manual has a good write up on correct adjustment process.
My 216 cannot be heard at 40mph (over the wind noise and engine fan noise :))
On reconsideration, I can't hear much of anything above 40mph in my '53!
I can't differentiate anything between noises on the video, but a 216 does have a nice smooth ticking sound when running. Even 235s will have some noise with solid lifters, but not as loud as the 216. As mentioned, if you have hydraulic lifters, you shouldn't have any noise beyond starting and warmup.
At first all I could see was the temp gauge at 212, which I think was used in the 216 years (through '53). Didn't it change to 220 when the 235's were introduced? Late in the video you can see the oil pressure gauge at 30 max, which would indicate a 216 also.
Those are the reasons I asked about the engine size.
When was the last time you pulled the valve cover and took a peak at the valve train and adjusted?
I'm still confused..According to that link, it's a 235. You guys say a 235 wasn't standard on a 1950 3600. But that page reads 1950 3600 235. ??
Is the engine original or no? 216 or no? I'm getting things jumbled up with these different pages.
Thanks for the videos DADS. When we get a chance to remove the valve cover I'll record a video of the noise we hear. AFA the sound going away with the clutch, I didn't notice. I'll have to see next time were out/look at my video closer. If the sound goes away with the clutch depressed, that signifies...........?
If the sound goes away with the clutch depressed, that signifies...........?
After I set my valves I heard a noise somewhat similar to yours.It would go away when I shifted. Ended up being exhaust leaks at the flange and manifold. (may not be what you have just something to look at)
I had a machinist deck the manifold, replaced the doughnut gasket at exhaust flange and no more noise.
I'm sure you will get a good idea on whats going on when you look under your cover and take your valve readings.
could be a number of things, approach it one item at a time and you'll nail it down.
Just about anything is possible regarding that engine.
- it might to be the original engine - the information I linked to could be wrong - a 235 engine might have been originally specially installed when the truck was ordered - the engine might have been replaced over the years
According to the info both Tim and myself provided, it looks to be a 235. Tim states it wasn't an option in 3600 and 3800 models, than provides evidence that states a 235 was standard equipment.
I don't know what the hell to think. I thought the old 235s were only used in 1 1/2 - 2 ton trucks, not 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.
Your 235 is going to be a low pressure 235 if the linked information is to be trusted.
That means low pressure oiling. It means solid lifters. Again, tick, tick, tick... This is not a later, full pressure 235 engine. You will have noise in the valve train. How much depends on how things are setup.
Post a pic of the engine, passenger side. This will clear up any errors as we can see what the side cover looks like. If long, than 216. If short, than 235.
After looking through a ton of info, I can only conclude the info listed for the 1950 model trucks is incorrect. 1947-49 and 1951-53 list what I originally thought. From 1947-1953, 216's were used in 1/2 - 1 ton trucks. 235's in 1 1/2 - 2 ton trucks.
All these official documents/websites are saying 235. Now it's for sure a 216 from the picture..funny. Well the first website has it listed as a 235 AND a 216..so let's call it a 216!
A 235 has a side cover that is roughly half the size of a 216 side cover. While a 235 cover goes to about 2-3" below the sparkplugs, the 216 cover goes all the way down to the distributor.
I think that relying on 'factory documentation' can lead you astray sometimes!
I didn't believe a 3600 or 3800 came with a 235, but when I saw the information page, I started to question my knowledge. Oh well. Trust your gut I guess! Plus the documentation lists a 216 as having 92 hp. I think it should be 85 hp if my memory serves me correct.
Okay, so we have an original 216. Good deal, thank you!
But yes, we will get the muffler and exhaust pipe and start eliminating things. Hopefully it'll be as simple as that! Thanks for the suggestions DADs and everyone else who chimed in!
Hi, 50chvytrk, I watched your video and it does sound like a exhaust leak maybe from the head to the manifold. It sounds like it makes noise when you give it gas and the pressure goes up in the exhaust systeme. It may be leaking at only one port so that is why you are getting the ticking noise.
Keep the 216's running. 1949 1/2 ton model #1314 (US 3104) Brian
Okay, so we have an original 216. Good deal, thank you!
hang on!!! according to the link above
The 216's and early 235's have a valve cover held down by two studs running up through the center of it, and a tall side cover that the spark plugs go through.
Later ('54-'62) 235's and 261's have four screws around the outer edge of the valve cover to hold it down, and a short side cover that doesn't go as high as the spark plugs.
Regarding the full side cover, early 235s had full side covers, just like all 216s. However, I think that by 1950 the truck side cover was not full height.
The block (and the head) casting codes (and, date dating codes for head and block) would help to distinguish a 216 from a 235.
Yep, the block engine number near the distributer on that pad is what I listed earlier. Beginning with AHCM*******.
Where do we go from here, I thought we had it nailed down. Where should I look next? I checked for a blatant "235" mark on the side of the oil pan, but there's nothing there.
Tim, I thought we had a post years ago were we hashed it out as to of whether the early 235's had the short side cover? I thought they had the tall side cover and you provided evidence that they didn't. Or maybe I'm backwards on that! Lets really get things confuzzled!
The casting number on the block is located right around the fuel pump on your block. It's been awhile since I looked, but I think it's either right in front or right below it? It should be 6 or 7 raised numbers, usually buried in oil and dirt.
The casting number will clear up any and all questions. Maybe...
Group 0.439 COVER, Valve Push Rod 37-49 all vehicles, and 50-53 all vehicles with 216 engine - tall side cover 50-53 all vehicles except those equipped w/216 - short side cover
This, as our Canadian members will tell us, is not the case with 50-53 216 engines (which had short side covers).
Quote
The casting number will clear up any and all questions. Maybe..
Good, still a 216. Where can I find the date code, or is that sealed within the engine somewhere. I think I saw that mentioned somewhere...thanks for double checking for me.
