Distributor Squealing/howling noise
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 68
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Distributor Squealing/howling noise
My '61 292 runs quietly after it starts, and remains that way until the engine warms and my RPMs go up on the highway. Then a high-pitched, squealing noise starts up and it is coming from the distributor. The noise does not go away until I stop the engine. When I restart, the noise is gone until I get back up into highway speeds. Same behavior over and over. If I start and drive only conservatively in town at low rpms, the distributor will usually remain quiet.
Is it possible that a bearing is bad in the distributor...and how critical is it that I replace the distributor right away? Is there any other solution?
Is it possible that a bearing is bad in the distributor...and how critical is it that I replace the distributor right away? Is there any other solution?
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12
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From: grand rapids usa
Distributor Squealing/howling noise
HI, I don't have a solution for the squealing, sorry. But I was wondering if you could tell me the correct firing order??????? My "helpful" husband changed the wires and mixed them up........
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
Distributor Squealing/howling noise
I'd think I would definately pull it out and look at it. You don't want to take the chance on having something breaking or come apart and fall down into the engine!
Correct firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Correct firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 80
Distributor Squealing/howling noise
I have had this exact problem. In 1992, I took my '56 F-100 (292) equipped with an Alaskan camper on a trip through the US that took 6 months and saw 37 states. At one point during the trip I heard this same noise. I drove it for several days like this not being able to pin point the source.
I finally traced it to the distributor, and pulled it out one night at a campground in Montana. I could hardly turn the shaft! I knocked out the pin, and removed the gear and cleaned up the bushings and lubed them. Fortunately the distributor gear looked okay. I re-installed it and continued on the trip, but had to repeat the routine at least 2 more times, untill I replaced the distributor a year later.
As a follow up, I should mention that I am currently rebuilding the engine. Upon checking the cam, each lobe miked out on the money except for the very last exhaust lobe which was badly worn and which happens to reside adjacent to the cam gear. I can't state it as fact, but I'll bet thet the heat and possibly wear generated at the gear interface may have contributed to wiping out that last lobe.
Fix it soon-
Steve
I finally traced it to the distributor, and pulled it out one night at a campground in Montana. I could hardly turn the shaft! I knocked out the pin, and removed the gear and cleaned up the bushings and lubed them. Fortunately the distributor gear looked okay. I re-installed it and continued on the trip, but had to repeat the routine at least 2 more times, untill I replaced the distributor a year later.
As a follow up, I should mention that I am currently rebuilding the engine. Upon checking the cam, each lobe miked out on the money except for the very last exhaust lobe which was badly worn and which happens to reside adjacent to the cam gear. I can't state it as fact, but I'll bet thet the heat and possibly wear generated at the gear interface may have contributed to wiping out that last lobe.
Fix it soon-
Steve
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 687
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Distributor Squealing/howling noise
I'd start with pulling it apart and checking it. Make sure you mark the gear and shaft so they go back together the same way. It is a simple enough task. If there is no play in the bushings after you clean them up (carb cleaner and a clean rag), lube it and run with it. NAPA still stocks distributors I believe, but rebuilt distributors are often no better than what you have. If the cam lobes are ok on yours, then that's half the battle right there.
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 68
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Distributor Squealing/howling noise
There's grease oozing out from around the shaft just looking into the distributor...so I'm figuring it's toast. Now it occurs to me that I will need to set the points in a new distributor, and the timing...none of which I have specs for (yeah, just acquired the truck). I'll search this site for the info, but if you know it, please post it back. Again, thanks for your help.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Distributor Squealing/howling noise
The timming is 3 deg. btdc at 500 rpm for a standard trans. And the dwell should be 26 to 28 1/2. I replaced mine as well but mine never squealed. I would replace it also. Steve WOW what a great trip! I always wanted to do that trip.
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Distributor Squealing/howling noise
Well, I got the new distributor in. The engine purred quietly the entire time I was timing and adjusting. On test drive, at highway speed, the sqealing noise came back. I pulled over, took off the air cleaner, and felt all over for the carburator and intake manifold looking for a leak or change in the sound. I could not find anything and after awhile at idle, the squeal sound faltered a little, then when away. It comes back at highway speeds, never appears at low speed/in-town driving. Once the squeal appears, the engine must either be turned off or idled for 5 minutes or so before the squeal goes away.
Any ideas about what this could be? Is there an intake air leak somewhere that I can't find? Can carburators make such a high-pitched whistle/squal?
Any ideas about what this could be? Is there an intake air leak somewhere that I can't find? Can carburators make such a high-pitched whistle/squal?
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