Re: engine vibration 232 engine

["Jay" <jciampi@xxxxxxxx>]

I finally got around to tightening the intake and exhaust manifolds to 25 
ft/lbs and it did help the vibration problem but not entirely.  I also have 
a synchronous vibration while driving at about 35 mph. If I let up on the 
gas it diminishes slightly . There is a  "flex" fan on the engine, seems to 
be in good condition and the water pump has no play in the shaft.  I would 
like to find a 5 blade OEM  fan as i don't like flex fans much. The problem 
with that is it is a small fan because of hose clearance problems. You have 
an American, so you know what I mean. The  35 mph bibration may be a wheel 
bearing going bad. When I got the car back in April, I was checking things 
over and found the LF wheel was NOT tightened down properly at the wheel 
shaft nut. I tightened the nut about a 1/4 turn until I had no play in the 
wheel when held at the top and bottom.  I have no idea how many miles the 
bearing was loose and driven that way. I am going to replace the bearings on 
the front wheels just to be safe.    BTW, I had a simliar  35 mph vibration 
on my 66 AMBO and I never did find out what caused it. the only thing i 
didn' t replace on it was the engine mounts. I have replaced the tranny 
mount on the American.

Jay
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Haas" <mhaas@xxxxxxx>
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: engine vibration 232 engine


> Jay,
>
> Check the intake manifold bolts. My American did that and tightening the 
> bolts solved the problem.
>
> Matt
>
> At 06:12 PM 10/31/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> > Hey Guys, i have a 66 American with the 232/2bbl engine. I have set the 
> > timing, set the idle speed at 700 rpm in neutral/ 550 in drive. The engine 
> > has new plugs and points, doesn't appear to have any vacuum leaks.  At the 
> > 550 rpm speed the engine has a rapid vibration which is quite annoying. 
> > The vibration mostly stops when i speed the engine up above the idle.  I 
> > have replaced the tranny mount which was dissolved from tranny fluid 
> > getting on it before i got the car. Could the engine mounts be so old and 
> > stiff that they won't absorb even the slightest vibration and transmit it 
> > to the frame? I had a 65 American with a 232/2bbl when it was new in 65 
> > and i don;t remember it being anything but smooth idling. The engine runs 
> > smoothly as far a vacuum gauge shows, no fluctuations due to worn valves 
> > or rings. The engine doesn't smoke and has 120k miles on the odometer. 
> > Someone did put the oil kit from the side of the block up into the valve 
> > cover as suggested in a service bulletin. I know that has nothing to do 
> > with the idle. Just mentioning it as I hadn't seen this done to many 232 
> > engines.  I didn;t mention it but the engine has new plug wires also. 
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > Jay in Central FL.
>
> mhaas@xxxxxxx
> Cincinnati, OH
> http://www.mattsoldcars.com
> 1966 Rambler Rebel
> 1968 Rambler American sedan
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