When I first start the car it sounds like a bucket of bolts flying around inside the engine...it then settles down and just does its job. I'm guessing its time for rebuild but how do I know for sure? Would bad bearings cause that noise? There is also a good bit of oil dripping from the tube that hangs down near the oil filter canister....not sure what that is or what its for. Just today finished the interior of car and would like to enjoy driving it awhile but don't want to break down either. Drove it around neighborhood and had no problem but afraid to take it on highway.

That thing next to the oil filter is a breather which should be serviced. Inside there is a filter which you should get a replacement. The whole unit comes off with two screws (you can see them after you take the cover off). These get plugged and then may drip oil. Clean it good. Make sure that the cover is on straight when reinstalling the cover.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thank you Paul, I'll pull that off and clean it up...should I look for a spin on oil filter adapter or keep it the way it is. About the noise at startup, could a weak oil pump cause all that racket? The car runs fine and doesn't overheat or smoke so this has me stumped....and worried.

any way you could put a good oil pressure gauge on it?

Secondly, I have had both the spin-on type filters and the original 54-56 style cannister. Definitely prefer the spin-on.

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Ron: the start up noise, is it from the top of the engine or down below? Possibly the valve train isn't getting oil soon enough? Have the valve clearances ever been checked? As for the pump, can you hook up an external oil guage, temporarily & do an oil pressure check? These might be places to start ..

Paul

Start up noise is hard to tell where coming from...first thought it was water pump then sounds like it is down lower or maybe towards back of engine. Really bad sounding banging noise...could even be starter hanging up. I will hook up oil and temp gauges this next week. Car starts right up and idles fine and once the noise stops it doesn't come back.

I would suspect the starter drive is staying engaged. Try removing the starter and cleaning the shaft etc. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

you might  not be getting oil pressure right away like you should. try doing a few oil changes(detergented oil and filter) within a short time period. somthing might be just partially plugged. that would be my thought anyway.