1961 Starfire engine noise
September 16th, 2014, 04:39 PM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 24
1961 Starfire engine noise
I have a 1961 Starfire with the original 394 in it. The engine is making a rattling noise at idle I thought may be a water pump or pulley or something. Then it seems to go away when the rpm's are up. Then I notice a "ring" around the harmonic balancer, or close to it that is loose and I can reach in there with my hand (with the engine not running of course) and spin and wiggle it. I guess higher rpm's creates centrifugal force and it stops rattling.What is this and how do I fix it? Also will the radiator and condenser have to be removed to fix it?
Thanks so much for any advice.
Thanks so much for any advice.
September 16th, 2014, 05:22 PM
#2
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bradford, Ontario
Posts: 782
Sounds like your harmonic balancer has seperated which means the rubber between the ring and pulley has dried out. They can be revulcanized and then they work fine, Fusick does this.
I would place a sheet of plywood between thew pulley and the rad so you don't hit it with a wrench or other tool.I have removed the pulley to replace the front seal without difficulty.
You might want to replace the timing chain and sprockets while the pulley is off.
Steve
I would place a sheet of plywood between thew pulley and the rad so you don't hit it with a wrench or other tool.I have removed the pulley to replace the front seal without difficulty.
You might want to replace the timing chain and sprockets while the pulley is off.
Steve
September 18th, 2014, 05:23 PM
#6
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Location: The Hudson Valley
Posts: 21,183
In the back of my mind, a little voice is saying that the pulley is part of the balancer, but I am not a 394 expert.
The best way to remove the bolt is with an air wrench, which you will probably not be able to fit without removing the radiator.
If it's important to leave the radiator in place, then you can get a length of rope about ⅜" in diameter and feed it into one cylinder (leave a bit hanging out
) - the rope will prevent the engine from turning when the piston presses up against it.
You will need a L-O-N-G wrench to get that bolt off.
Good luck!
- Eric
The best way to remove the bolt is with an air wrench, which you will probably not be able to fit without removing the radiator.
If it's important to leave the radiator in place, then you can get a length of rope about ⅜" in diameter and feed it into one cylinder (leave a bit hanging out
) - the rope will prevent the engine from turning when the piston presses up against it.You will need a L-O-N-G wrench to get that bolt off.
Good luck!
- Eric
September 18th, 2014, 05:24 PM
#7
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Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,551
September 18th, 2014, 06:06 PM
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: The Hudson Valley
Posts: 21,183
Sorry. Just found the reference that the little voice in my head was talking about, NAS's "Brought a '61 Back" thread:
- Eric
I sure hope the 63 394 AC 3 groove pulley works on my 62 394 !!! Because I just had Hess Bro. send it strait to the harmonic balancer rebuilder www.hbrepair.com.
- Eric
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