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 =============================================================== According to a February survey of Internet holdouts released by UCLA's Center for Communication Policy, people cite not having a computer as the No. 1 reason they won't go online.
mhaas@xxxxxxx Cincinnati, OH http://www.mattsoldcars.com 1966 Rambler Rebel 1968 Rambler American sedan =============================================================== According to a February survey of Internet holdouts released by UCLA's Center for Communication Policy, people cite not having a computer as the No. 1 reason they won't go online.