Noisy Generator Gear... I think....

[gldavis]

Hey Guys!

So for 3 years I've lived with a ting ting ting ting ting coming from the front of the engine. The noise has continued after a recent Texas T Distributor removal and E timer installation. I used to blame it on the distributor bouncing around up front, but alas that is not it. Took the fan belt off, no change from the fan not running. Crank pulley is nice and tight too. So i continued to live with the noise. I think I finally narrowed it down to the the generator gear. The lash seems excessive and I just realized tonight, after reading the "bible" that is is actually possible to adjust the gear lash! Huh, what concept, I guess I should have read the instructions long ago. The engine was rebuilt in 2005 and saw little mileage until I got it, so I'm hoping the wear to the timing gear isn't excessive, we shall see how it sounds when I try running it without the generator. Currently if I turn the lights on when running the noise decreases, which make sense to me since I'm adding a load to the gears. Anyhow, here's my question, is it normal for the generator gear to make some noise? With a proper setup is it still normal to hear the gears when driving along?

[351cmach]

Almost 4 years and no response.

Bump to the top.

I also have excessive clearance generator gear to cam gear. I have not tried anything yet, but I'm thinking a thinner gasket won't reduce the clearance enough. I might try no gasket and rtv sealer or a different generator mount. Thoughts ideas?

[Moxie26]

Remove generator, replace with generator block off plate with a gasket, and then run the engine. Same noise, or no noise ?. . I if you believe there's excessive clearance between present gears , a new generator gear will help eliminate noise...... Is your present cam gear metal, fiber, or nylon?....... That ...... Ting Ting Ting Ting Ting ..... sound you hear could easily be a loose crankshaft pulley

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Thoughts ideas?

Yes. Install new gears.

[speedytinc]

Diagnostics before you indiscriminately remove & replace stuff.

Eliminate a loose pulley. Move the fan belt back & forth. Any pulley movement? You can run without the belt to eliminate the pulley & fan blade hitting something.
While running, ground out the generator output. Any difference?
Not running - use a long electricians screwdriver thru the oil filler hole. Move the gen gear. Is the gear loose on the shaft or excessive teeth play/wear?
Use that same screwdriver to move the cam gear. Does it feel loose mount wise or excessive gear play to the crank gear?
These tests should pinpoint the issue.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Diagnostics before you indiscriminately remove & replace stuff.

Eliminate a loose pulley. Move the fan belt back & forth. Any pulley movement? You can run without the belt to eliminate the pulley & fan blade hitting something.
While running, ground out the generator output. Any difference?
Not running - use a long electricians screwdriver thru the oil filler hole. Move the gen gear. Is the gear loose on the shaft or excessive teeth play/wear?
Use that same screwdriver to move the cam gear. Does it feel loose mount wise or excessive gear play to the crank gear?
These tests should pinpoint the issue.

Read his posting. He did most of that stuff.

[Dan Hatch]

Always install a new generator gear on a new cam gear.
Also throw away the aluminum cam gear, they ring like a dinner bell.

Use the bronze cam gear and the MATCHING crank gear.

[speedytinc]

Diagnostics before you indiscriminately remove & replace stuff.

Eliminate a loose pulley. Move the fan belt back & forth. Any pulley movement? You can run without the belt to eliminate the pulley & fan blade hitting something.
While running, ground out the generator output. Any difference?
Not running - use a long electricians screwdriver thru the oil filler hole. Move the gen gear. Is the gear loose on the shaft or excessive teeth play/wear?
Use that same screwdriver to move the cam gear. Does it feel loose mount wise or excessive gear play to the crank gear?
These tests should pinpoint the issue.

Read his posting. He did most of that stuff.

Removing the generator mount shim would be a good idea (as poster suggested) IF the problem is only the gen gear mesh & the wear is not excessive.
My diagnostic suggestions would confirm the issue.
If they are of no use here, I offer a full refund.
Maybe someone else will find the information useful for their suspected gear noise.

[speedytinc]

P.S.
If one replaces the generator gear, one should check the cam gear fit & shim or un-shim the generator mount as needed.

[Karl Von Neumann]

My 16 does have a slight knock ting ting sound as well figured out the cam is wandering forward and back banging the front cover if it really bothers you shim the cam gear or replace the bearings

[Dan Hatch]

Cam thrust kit

[Norman Kling]

Have you checked the front bearing on the generator? It could be worn.
A problem I had with one of my T's was a ping ping at idle. No noise when going above idle. This was caused by the pin which goes through the crankshaft and pulley being loose and moving up and down at idle. When running above the idle the centrifugal force would keep it from moving. This is the pin which is engaged by the crank when hand cranking. I took the pin and laid it between the jaws of a vise partially open and hit it in the middle to put a small bend in the pin. Then put it back in place. It stopped making the noise.
Norm