Noise update

[Flyingpiper59]

Hey Forum Chums

https://youtu.be/b_5CyTvX9fM

After eliminating valve train noise…I moved on to the cam……the generator was already out as I had just rebuilt it…..I cranked with one hand and pushed forward on the cam gear with my left hand…..well three fingers of it anyway……no noise when cranked applying forward pressure on the camshaft……any final answers?….lol

[TXGOAT2]

I suppose that forward-loading the cam gear gear could move the timing gears out of their normal contact and have the effect of reducing lash. Or some condition could be causing the camshaft to move forward and back causing the noise. Does it act the same with the clutch engaged/disengaged? Does removing the timer cover have any effect?

[Flyingpiper59]

TX…. Prior to tearing the engine down the engine purred like a kitten, and made zero noise until I spun the number two rod Babbitt….. right now the engine is torn down for an engine refresh…. so no pistons, connecting rods, head, etc.so the noise is pronounced while hand cranking the motor. I had wanted to put in a new, Cam adjustable, lifters and new valves, but finding a camshaft at this point appears to be a no go for some time…. I’m going to remove the timing cover here in a couple of days… I’m off to work tomorrow…. My area is expertise is flat head Ford motors from 1939 on…. I’ve had to adjust cam shaft and play on a lot of those….this is definitely a different animal and I’m learning as I go with a lot of help from you fine folks!….the sleuthing continues…
We will see we will see!

[TXGOAT2]

If you are cranking the engine with the head off and rods & pistons out, the noise may be normal. Try cranking it slowly, and see if the noise coincides with the movement of any of the valves. As any valve opens, the spring pressure acting against the cam lobe will resist the turning motion of the cam, taking up any lash in the timing gears. As the valve begins to close, the action is reverses, and the spring pressure of that valve attempts to turn the camshaft. That will cause the load on the timing gears to reverse suddenly, and if there is any lash at all, it can make a noise. The noise would be much more noticeable with the engine disassembled and the gears free of oil. You might try smearing the timing gear teeth with heavy grease and then cranking the engine as before. If that affects the noise, it's almost certain that gear lash combined with the normal camshaft torque reversal that occurs as valves open and close is the cause. It might occur with normal gear lash, and would be louder with any increase in gear lash. Another test would be to raise each valve off its seat and put something between the valve heads and the seats like a clothes pin to hold them all wide open, then crank the engine and see if the noise is affected.

[Flyingpiper59]

TX….. I had done that to the valves before posting my update….. I put a washer underneath each valve…. that being said the valves weren’t completely open all the way… i’m going to try that one again….many thanks

[TXGOAT2]

If you had a Ford V8 in the same state of disassembly as your T, It probably wouldn't make any noise cranking it by hand, even with well-worn timing gears. The reason being that with 8 cylinders, there would be more cams engaging the valve lifters at any given moment.