Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

My '49 Custom 8 has recently developed what sounds like tappet noise although I'm not sure. It's most prominent when I accelerate in first or second gear and seems to diminish after I drive it for about 20 minutes or so. I thought it might be exhaust noise but I don't see any evidence of a leak and the muffler appears to be sound. I checked the timing and it's correct and I just replaced the points so I don't think it's ignition related. Anybody had a similar issue?

You're going to get lots of suggestions. Here is mine: sticking valves. I say this as my 47 Custom Clipper (same engine as yours) would develop a noise that sounded tappet-like. A sticking valve can sound like a tappet because the rate of ticking is at the same speed. The new owner traced the noise to a couple of sticking valves. JWL

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking along those lines and added a quart of Marvel to the oil when I changed it. But why does it get better after driving it for a while? And I don't remember it doing this previously, it just started the past couple of weeks.

For what it's worth, the noise was due to a leaking exhaust manifold gasket. I used an air mattress air pump to blow air into the exhaust pipe and sprayed some soapy water on the manifold-to-block interface and saw bubbles. I got some new gaskets from Olson's (kind of pricey I thought), but that did the trick, the noise is gone.

I would say money well spent if it fixes the problem.
Happy driving!
Wes

The correct gasket is a metal one with flanges. PAPER WILL FAIL! My gasket was about $89 but is correct and will last a very long time.