Odd Vibration

[Luva65wagon]

I remember my dad having odd vibrations in his '53 Plymouth. Drove him a bit crazy too. So he set out to figure out the cause, and as I was, his shadow, I was right there "helping." We ended up pulling the motor apart eventually and discovered this motor, which had apparently been a JC Whitney long-block rebuild (or some such thing), had 3 car connecting rods and 3 truck connecting rods. These flat-heads were used in multiple applications back then and had heavier connecting rods in the heavy-duty applications. Long story long, he changed to 6 of the same type and wa-la, balance was achieved. So, it is possible there are odd internals mixed in here too. Not sure what you can mix up in these motors since I've not studied that potential.

I am home a lot these days so feel free to PM me and maybe on a day that isn't pouring down rain you can arrange to have you bring it by and we'll have a feel/listen.

[Ric]

These are all good suggestions thanks. So far I am surely not seeing any easy fix. Taking the transmission out seems like a chore and so does pulling the engine and dissembling it looking for something odd. Both being things I have never done before. I am no expert but I think the 144 , 170 & 200 are all basically the same blocks internal parts could maybe be mixed . If it would just break I bet I could find the problem then lol. Maybe as the weather gets a bit better I will bring it to one of your meetings and maybe we could brainstorm it together.

[Ric]

Well surprise surprise I ran a compression check this morning it was disappointing . When I first got the car it was running from 150 -165 psi just fine for me. This morning I ran a check and got 80 - 110. OH MY. The cyl walls were oiled the first time from when I first fired it up. This time I just ran it a few minutes and then checked. I think what I have here is simply a tired old motor.

[Jeff W]

Or a tired compression tester. Maybe it was dropped since last time you checked. 50psi drop straight across all cylinders sounds suspicious and unlikely.

[Luva65wagon]

I agree with Jeff. I can't think of anything, engine-wise, to cause an across-the-board drop like that.

[Ric]

Well I am going to my brothers today I will drive the falcon and run a quick check on one of the cylinders with his gauge. In the mean time I have been looking at a 250 engine to put in it. I think its a straight across swap.

[Ric]

well I have been working on the falcon and I think I found the smoking gun. The head gasket was bad between # 4 & #3. I also found out my engine is a 1966 200 . Now the new problem. It has two bent push rods and I cant find any in the auto parts stores. I am looking for a couple fresh ones new or used if anyone has any suggestions It would sure help