Engine bearings going which was the cause of my problems.

[Pete W]

Well, what I thought was a drivetrain problem causong a loud growling noise/vibration at 50 mph during acceleration turned out to be my engine bearings. I had an experienced transmission guy that I know ride around with me and that is what he said was the problem. He said that they need to be replaced to cure it but using SAE 50 oil would quite it up. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete

 

[Pete W]

Woops! The car is a 1961 Comet with a 144 and a 2.77 three on the tree.

 

[shmoozo]

Woops! The car is a 1961 Comet with a 144 and a 2.77 three on the tree.

This might be a good time to consider a swap to either a 200 or perhaps even a 250 if that would fit and if you don't mind spending a small fortune to complete the swap. Yeah, either would require a bit of work (to say the least), but it might wind up being a good choice anyway.

And while you are at it, perhaps a transmission swap might be timely, too, eh?



On the other hand if you have been happy with the 144 and the 3 speed manual, you may just want to rebuild the 144. If the main or rod bearings are going, there's likely to be some nasty crud in the oil which might work its way into cam bearings and other parts of the engine so it's probably a good time to give the thing a complete overhaul with all new bearings, a new cam, new lifters, new seals, and all that sort of thing. In effect you'd be replacing or renewing any parts that are prone to wear with the possible exception of the pistons. If, however, the cylinders are scored (and unless that portion of the engine has been recently renewed they probably are) then a mild overbore and new pistons might be in order.

Then again, if you are going to do that much work, maybe a swap to a remanufactured 170 or 200 short block of more or less the correct vintage might be the better choice. Pay attention to bell housing bolt patterns unless you can get a new bell housing or transmission to fit the new engine at a price you're willing to pay.

 

[matt1967]

yup, gotta fix a bearing faliure. if you don't, and your thrust bearing spins, your block is scrap

 

[Pete W]

I forgot to add, I can only hear bearing growl when driving. When I rev up the engine in the driveway it sounds normal.

 

[Bort62]

I think your transmission guy is full of it personally. There is no such thing as bearing growl. They either work, or they knock.

If they were knocking, you would know it.

But hey, what do I know?

 

[fordconvert]

Only problems I have ever had with crank bearings is them getting loose killin oil pressure and tearing up seals, but thats on GM V motors. I have a car that growls under certain situations under load, it all started when I put in a holley fuel injection system so I suspect its a mixture or timing issue or a combo of the two.

Have you looked close at all your mounts and exhaust hangars?

Does it do it when its cold? If it does I woudnt think the oil thing would help since the oil is thicker when its cold.

 

[Anonymous]

I think your transmission guy is full of it personally. There is no such thing as bearing growl.


They either work, or they knock.

+1

 

[addo]

So it's happening under load...

Exhaust leak, induction noise, alternator/generator noise, gearbox wear, rear gear wear - all may be possible contributors to what one or another of us may hear as "bearing growl".

Thrust faces are a pretty long shot, and I'd look at the other stuff first myself.