VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1929 Rough Running/ Sounding... Any Thoughts ??

Fired up the 1929 for a sound check, Posted it up to Youtube as well. Does not sound right to me, I know that i need to replace the oil pan gasket, as it is leaking.

Video is here: 1929 Chevrolet Engine Running

Anyone have any thoughts on what to check or look for based on how it is running ?? been scanning the manuals i have and going from there. Figure i should start off with the simple solutions and rule them out as i move down the complexity chain.

Thoughts and Opinions are Appreciated...

Oh to have a 90 year old mechanic around when you need one. While I cannot help you, my dad was a mechanic and in his forties or fifties, he could tell pretty much what was wrong with a car engine as soon as he heard it started up and warmed up in the driveway. My '30 engine(in my '31 coach) has sounds I am not familiar with, nothing too serious I guess, and old timers advised I should not worry about them, most are normal for these old engines. So, I'm moving on!

Hello BearsFan315,
After listening to the engine sound on your video, I believe I hear a knock occuring over and over at the same time interval. I may be full of it, but you might look at the valve train system to verify all are working and properly adjusted. Also, with the engine running, pull off a spark plug wire, one at a time, to locate any bad spark plugs that are not firing. Wear insulated gloves when you do that. As you remove a plug wire, you should notice a change to the engine rpm and more ruff running. If you pull a wire and no change occurs, suspect the wire, spark plug and/or cylinder. Let me know if I'm full of it and tell us what you find.

Edit, I just read your post about not having an oil pan gasket and thinking that the oil dippers might be hitting the troughs. Install the pan gasket first before messing with anything else, that just might be the noise. Normally all the gaskets should be installed on the same surface, either all on the engine or all on the pan. That way you avoid missalignment issues. Gasket sealer may come in handy. When you pull the pan, look for wear marks and shinny metal on the dippers and troughs.

It sounds like a loose rod bearing and maybe a bent pushrod going around.

First check the cylinders as mentioned in earlier post, when pulling spark plug wires remove them from the distributer cap this will lessen shock hazard.
I have driven our 29 on numerous 6cyl tours the one thing a early 6cyl will have is wrist pin knock this is not serious and most older mechanics will tell you was very common.
When you pull the base check the rod caps for missing cotter keys, which will let the caps loosen and cause real problems of which I can attest.
Al

Thanks for the tips...

I have the gasket on order and should be here next week. When I drop the pan I will inspect and check the lower end of the engine. Look for wear & rubbing as well as missing pins, and make sure everything looks as it should.

I pulled the plugs last night to look at them, they all look great, reset the gap and will reinstall. also once i get the gasket installed I will also check the timing to make sure it is set accordingly.