Once I heard it, I backed off.  Only hitting the gas a few times to trying and figure out what it was.  I retarded my advance by about 2.5 degrees and everything seems to be much better

- John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

what you described is exactly what happens when the engine "knocks" or "Pings" as soon as you hear that, back off on the accelerator, or you could end up with broken rods, burn a hole thru the pistons, broken rings or ringlands. Is you engine pretty much stock inside? I wouldn't run more then 8 degrees advance on 87 octane, so about 10 on 93?

My gas is 93 so I'd have to believe octane is ok (could be bad gas).  So the "Death Rattle" as you say, could be the "knocking" that people talk about?  I never knew what it sounds like until now...  I will try and back off the advance a little.  - Thanks!

- John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

I've just about come to peace with/worked out my kickdown situation, and now I have anothe problem.  I've got this rattling sound at full throttle.  Doesn't matter if I'm doing 15 or 70 mph the car sounds pretty nice.  I can accelerate, but as soon as the pedal hits the floor there is this rattle/scraping sound.  I could compare it to something like a roulette wheel.  Like a nut or piece of metal is being kicked around somewhere.

I'm thinking maybe flex-plate bolts based on a previous thread and the recent tranny swap, but I'm highly discouraged with this car right now.  I'm hoping it's not serious - Any thoughts. 

 - John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.