Strange engine tick under load

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MooseMan

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I'm working with a friend on a '69 Century Cheetah 16' with a Chrysler 318, Borg Warner Velvet Drive 1:1 transmission, stock prop (13x15). He just got it.<br /><br />The boat starts, idles, and revs great in neutral. The moment it goes into gear it starts to struggle. The engine bogs and then there is what sounds like valve clatter through the entire power band. Top speed is only about 2000-2500 RPMs. Oil is fresh. Electronic ignition, timing recently set. Tranny fluid doesn't look terrible, though probably could use a change. It is frothy after use. Doesn't shift as smoothly as my '84 Mastercraft Powerslot. <br /><br />The problem gets worse as the boat warms up.<br /><br />Any thoughts?<br /><br />Thanks in advance!
 
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Capt Ken

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Have you check to be sure the output shaft on the transmission turns freely. This is done with the engine off of course!!! The ticking could be the springs in the drive plate that bolted on the flywheel and connects the transmission input shaft to the engine. Also, with a borg warner, if the engine doesn't run smooth, it will rattle the planitary {never could speel worth a hoot} gears. That old of transmission used type F fluid without Dexron. The clutches was fiber and not bronze like they are today. If someone used Dexron, they could have damaged the disks. Also, does the output shaft rotate when the engine is in neutral, if so, the disks are warped.
 
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MooseMan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Haven't checked that but certainly interesting. I was next to the engine while it was running today though and am positive the ticking is coming from the engine.
 
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charleswmoore

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

I realize this is an old post but we just went through the same thing. The ticking sound developed only when at idle and in gear. It would clear up at aound 1000 to 1200 rpms We thought it was the springs in the dampening plate which we replaced after having trans checked out okay. Well to my disbelief it was due to one cylinder in the motor having zero compression with a burnt valve. Manifolds where replace a month earlier.<br />When the engine missed on that cylinder the dampenning plate was releasing causing the tap tap. To this day I would have sworn it was in the drive train, shaft, rudder slap or something not a poor running engine?????? By the sounds of your engine performance you might want to run a cyclinder power test to see if you have like issues. Remove one plug wire at a time untill you find the one that does nothing IE Dead. There are some prety cool products on the market from snapon that will due this in a safer manner and it hurts less!!!!!!!!
 
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MooseMan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Actually I think we finally found the problem - timing chain was hopping, I believe.<br /><br />Won't really know til next year now!
 
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Capt Ken

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

A Borg Warner will tell you if you have a smooth running engine or not. Any misfiring or unbalancing of the engine will cause the planitary gears to rattle at idle.
 
Walt T

Walt T

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

If the timing chain were hopping, You'd hear it in neutral when you revved it. That aint it.
 
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ODDD1

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Charles, I have been using you 'engine power test' for years, always called it a 'drop test' easiest tool to use is a ordinary 12v test light... ground the wire and slide the probe down between the spark plug wire and boot, shorting out the plug....you can find a dead hole in a multiple cylinder engine easily, just listen for the rpm 'drop' for a healthy cylinder....
 
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rclonan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

I am the guy with the boat. It is in the garage for the winter, but I am contining to work on her. It is correct to say that the boat ran great at idle and in neutral, but I did replace the chain after deteriorating performance. I have never seen a chain so far off time. The marks were almost 180 degrees off. It would not run when I took it apart, so it could have jumped a few teeth near the end of its' life. I want to do as much as I can this winter to make this motor run smooth, but without engine cooling it is tough.
 
Walt T

Walt T

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Be sure there arent any bent valves or pushrods..................
 
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rclonan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

no bent push rods,i do not know about the valves
 
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Blue Thunder

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Your timing marks will be 180 degrees apart every other crankshaft revolution. 2:1 ratio between the cam and crankshaft. I agree that is not your problem. I suspect ignition... either points or fouled plugs. I replaced a timing chain once over burnt points.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />BT :cool:
 
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rclonan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

The marks should not be 180 apart with #1 at TDC though, should they. Also, the manual says that as long as the marks on the two sprokets line up, it does not matter where the pistons are. I thought that was strange. Anyway, have converted points to electronic and I am having the coil and ignitor checked out by the factory now.
 
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almost retired again

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Hi Casman,<br />#1 cyl at tdc on the compression stroke then the timming marks should be in line.<br />Good Luck
 
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Blue Thunder

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

#1 cylinder is at TDC when starting the Power stroke and again when starting the Intake stroke. If you have the #1 piston at TDC starting the intake stroke, your cam marks will be 180* out. One more revolution of the crank will bring the cam marks in line at TDC on the power stroke, and timing marks will align.<br /><br />BT :cool:
 
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rclonan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

So, you agree with my manual that as long as the marks line up, the relation of cam to crank will be correct?
 
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Blue Thunder

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Yes. No doubt about it. Piston will be at top on #1 (ending comp stroke) and harmonic balancer timing mark will line up with 0* on the scale.<br /><br />BT :cool:
 
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rclonan

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

I just got my ignition stuff back from Pertronix and they said that the coil was bad. So, I guess that was the problem.
 
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Blue Thunder

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Re: Strange engine tick under load

Glad to hear it cazman, hope we saved you some grief<br /><br />BT :cool:
 
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