Re: my 65 rambler... sounds like a dying cow. (long)

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Brian,

Make sure the starter is tight and the bolts feel like they're holding 
their torque. It bolts to the transmission bellhousing which is aluminium 
and it's possible that the threads are stripped out. I had to put a few 
thread inserts in mine a few years ago. Also, a worn starter or flex plate 
teeth can make a bunch of noise but check the starter first. Two starters 
were used in the 60's -- one was made by Delco and the other by Autolite. 
The Delco starter was easy to get (mine was even rebuilt by Delco) but I 
have no idea about the Autolite.

For the rough running, start with a good tune up. Replace the points, 
condenser, cap, rotor, plus wires, and plugs. Tune up specs should be in 
your owner's manual. You'll need a timing light, tachometer, dwell meter, 
feeler gauges, a flat blade screw driver, and a half inch box wrench. A 
remote starter switch is handy but if you have a helper, you don't need it. 
Something that may not be pointed out in the owner's manual is that you 
need to set the timing at 500 rpm and you need to make sure that the vacuum 
advance line is disconnected and plugged. After you're done setting the 
timing, set the idle speed to normal.

Once the ignition's adjusted, shut the car off, close the idle mixture 
screw on the carb and back it out a full turn. Start the car and set the 
idle speed to 50 RPM less than normal idle speed (you'll need to have your 
car in drive to do this). Turn the screw counter clockwise (richer) until 
the engine slows down. Turn the screw clockwise (leaner) until the speed is 
regained and begins to fall off again. Turn the screw counter clockwise 
(richer) until the max engine speed is set. If you have a two barrel carb, 
let us know and the correct procedure can be posted.

If it still runs rough (especially when hot), the intake manifold or 
carburetor may be loose or the carburetor may need to be rebuilt. Also, 
make sure the fuel filter isn't plugged (it's mounted on the bottom of the 
fuel pump) and that the rubber hoses are in good condition. Actually, you 
should just replace the hoses.

If the car doesn't have transmission cooler lines, the transmission is air 
cooled and the hole is normal. The "mooing" may be a low transmission fluid 
level. The dipstick will probably have instructions for checking the fluid 
level on it and that information should be in the owner's manual as well. 
I'd concentrate on getting the car to run better before diving into 
potential transmission problems.

Matt

At 04:30 PM 11/3/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> Well i got behind the wheel of my newly acquired 65 Rambler and it runs 
> (or doesnt run) real bad. I want to bring it to my local mechanic but at 
> the point it is right now..im leary to even take it off my driveway.
>
> Symptoms:
> Jumps out of Park into Reverse - could be a bad cam in the steering column 
> or unaligned transmission linkage.  For now, I start it in Neutral, and 
> for the sake of others.. never leave it in idle!
>
> After crankin and crankin.. the starter is VERY loud. WHIRR WHURR. And the 
> cranking is the loudest ive ever heard on any car ive ever owned! How 
> difficult is it to find a replacement starter for this car? Its the larger 
> 6 engine from 1965.  Can this be gotten thru NAPA or do I need to find the 
> holy grail?
>
> If i am lucky to get it started.. and it runs.. its very loud and 
> ka-chunky. Body shakes like a herion addict. And there is a moo-ing sound 
> from the front of the transmission.  I got underneath and moved the metal 
> cover that shield the hole (a hole! that surprised me) and i hear teeth 
> then klinkin.. Hmm. doesnt sound good in any fashion.  The Mooing is worse 
> at stop, less while in motion (sometimes)
>
> But if i do get it started and it idles.. there is a loud whirrring 
> (mooing) sound from that area.. Any ideas of what that might be?
>
> Under the hood, i noticed an unconnected cable that Im guessing is the 
> manual choke line.  Ok, i can deal with fixing that.
>
> This car was presented to me in a MUCH better state that it is. Im trying 
> to decide my plan of attack (or concession) on it.
>
> Thanks for any help or advice  you may have,
> Brian

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1966 Rambler Rebel
1968 Rambler American sedan
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