Uh oh,

My original I-6 has developed a rattle like something is just bouncing around under the valve cover near the front of the engine. It does not increase when I hit the gas and everything seems tight for the fan etc. I am trying not to take the top apart but I may have too. Any thoughts on what it could be?

Thanks - Jeff

 

what about the engine mounts?
the front pully damper my rub on cross frame, there is very little clearance
if mounts are bad

Joe

 

Is this a 48? Isn't this a flathead 6?

 

1948 flathead 226

when I first got my truck

the engine mounts was kinda flat
lowering the engine (front pully) almost to the front cross over

Joe

 

My mistake - I thought Ford used the V-8 and I-6 descriptions for the flatheads of this year.

Motor mounts could be it and I will check. Had found a two inch 3/8 " wide spring in the oil pan a few years back too.

Saved it -

 

It is an I-6 (inline 6) but there's no real "valve cover", that's what threw me. Are you saying the frequency of the noise doesn't change with RPM, or that it isn't sensitive to increased throttle like a rod knock?

 

Sound is not sensitive to throttle - it's just there like something just bouncing around like the ball in a spray can. Not making noise at regular intervals either.

Changing the motor mounts can't hurt after 60 years.

I just did not want to undo all the bolts and see what's there. Although I should do that someday as a lot of crud was in the oil pan when I first got the truck 10 years ago.

Jeff

 

If you eliminate all external causes, I'd pop the timing cover and tappet covers off and check for something floating around in there. There isn't likely a good outcome if there is truly something loose and bouncing around inside!!