So I got my truck back today...

Dumpy

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Location
Franklin, NC
and the brakes work! I really need a booster, though. Anywho, I took it up to 50 and I got the death wobble. Scared the crap out of me! up until that point it runs smooth as can be. Also, one of my valves started chattering. Arg! Any suggestions?
 
Fix the DW....and the valves.

Sorry to be a Smart Ass...but search for death wobble here are at least 100 threads here on it and no no one knows exactly whats causing yours without some investigation and more info.

Ditto on the valves.
Chatter at all speeds?
Only under accel?
Decel?
Is this in the magic 500 Big Block Caddy or the ISX6?
 
It's an AMC 360. I had it at the local high school's auto tech, but the kids didn't work on it. I was just getting the brakes checked. I'm gonna take it to my buddy's place in Clemson (at an amazing 45 MPH) and we're gonna try to figure it all out and work on his Dana 60:huggy:
 
SkyHiK5 said:
Fix the DW....and the valves.

Sorry to be a Smart Ass...but search for death wobble here are at least 100 threads here on it and no no one knows exactly whats causing yours without some investigation and more info.

Ditto on the valves.
Chatter at all speeds?
Only under accel?
Decel?
Is this in the magic 500 Big Block Caddy or the ISX6?
Click to expand...


I checked some of the threads out and got some ideas. Of course I don't expect anyone to know exactly over the computer. I'm not that naive. Chatter is at all speeds. I noticed it with the hood up when I was checking my valve cover gaskets to see if I could spot any leakage while it's running. It's not loud at all, just a tick-tick-tick. We're gonna try to hook up a pressure gauge this weekend and start there.
 
My guess is a flat lifter...I had a 360 for a while, before my right boot destroyed it. How's your oil pressure? Those things aren't known for keeping pressure very well at all.
 
Chances are that the 360 in that truck has the heads on it with the "saddle mount" style rockers, they bolt down in pairs, and they are non-adjustable. You torque them down to the given torque spec (I believe 25-30 lb. ft., but don't quote me on that...It has been over 5 years since I had my 360) and just go with it. If you ever change cams, lifters, push rods, etc with the valve train, you would need to check and double check the lifter pre-load, if it is a hydraulic cam, and make sure it is correct. Otherwise, if you have any lash at all, even just a couple thousandths, you will have trouble. Could also possibly be a bent pushrod or rocker, which will lead to trouble. There is a fix for this style rocker, though. You can machine the heads for screw-in studs and put on adjustable rockers, and that can be a DIY job, if you're comfortable enough. Otherwise, have a shop do it. Secondly, you can get some AMX heads (say, from a Javelin) that came from the factory with adjustable rockers. I had aquired a set of those to put on the 360 before it bit the dust, and I decided to just replace my AMC/Jeep drivetrain with Chevy stuff.
 
Thanks guys. I'm taking it down to Clemson tomorrow and we'll take a look at it. I also don't wobble any more :) Found a random tire shop in town that had some used 33's for a hundred bucks with pretty good tread on them, so I got those and no more wobble, so I must have thrown a wheel weight. Crazt thing though, the dude who put them on noticed that my front axle was offset! After measuring, I realized that the driver's side is forward an inch and a half! Doesn't affect the driving, but We're gonna try to figure out how to get it back in place. Not too major though from what I understand. At least not yet. Also, the "ticking" has been in and out today. I plan on putting on a pressure gauge ASAP because my truck doesn't have one. When I did the oil change, the oil that came out was sludge, and it didn't make noise until I changed it. I'm gonna throw some Lucas in tomorrow before I go to SC and see what happens.
 
Oh, boy...the good ol' sludge. I'm sure you have a flat/sticking lifter. Lucas may help it out, may just be a crutch...could be worth a shot, though. Does it idle rough at all?

Start looking soon on why the axle is in there crooked like that. Look at all the spring mounts, any bends in the frame, whatever...might not be a good thing...LOL
 
yeah, we're gonna check that out tomorrow hopefully. Once in a while it idles a wee bit rough and other times it's smooth. Sometimes it idles a little high, I rev it a tad, and it goes right down. I never noticed the knock before I changed the oil. Since I'm the only one who's heard it, it'll be good to hear someone else hear it in person to help diagnose it. I had a stuck lifter in my '92 Ranger in college and it finally went blew up. Threw the rod out the oil pan. It's not as loud as that was, but could be because the 360 is a louder engine. Anyone in Clemson wanna come play tomorrow?
 
Just got back from Clemson. When I got down there the dang thing started sputtering. Turned out to be the points and condenser (didn't even know that existed:) We changed that out and it's run the best it ever has! I even got 11.6 MPG! WOO HOO! I'm not gonna fool with the axle. it drives straight, no wandering, and works for now. And the knocking turned out to be an exhaust leak at the head. Real small one. The valves DID tap a tiny bit up the big hills (real steep) on the way home, but stopped as soon as I was level it stopped. So...Altogether, she's running good! Ready for some small-time wheelin' soon:eek:)

Oh, and I carried about a thousand pounds of logs while I was down there with no probs whatsoever. never had a V8 before. This is fun :)
 
if the "valves are tapping on big hills" try turning the timing back about 1-2 degrees or running premium fuel probably spark knock not valves.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
if the "valves are tapping on big hills" try turning the timing back about 1-2 degrees or running premium fuel probably spark knock not valves.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I was about to say -- sounds like spark knock. If you adjusted/replaced the points and condenser, it's likely that the timing got advanced a tad by bumping the distributor around.
 
I'll try that. I'll let you know how it turns out. To be honest, messing with the timing scares me a little bit, even with the manual, etc. I'll get one of my guys to show me. I can't wait 'til I know what I'm doing. I've learned more about vehicles in the past month than in my entire life, but my wee brain can only handle so much, probably due the the exhaust leak :)
 
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