First time on road in over 20 years

[AlMcL]

Hi,
I have just taken my minor out after 20 yr,the body work has been stripped & repainted,new cluth,water pump,timming chain,suspension bushhes ect.
I have not rebuilt the engine as was running ok,after taking out for the first I have noticed a noise,sounds like mains but only comes on when accelerating once upto speed and in 4th noise goes,oil level ok no leaks no oil light.Any ideas please,Thanks Allan

[PSL184]

Sounds like it could be centre main worn. If you are quick and lucky you can change that one with the enigine in the car. A pressure gauge will give a more accurate reflection of engine condition as the light only comes on at about 4psi at which point the engine is toast anyways....

[bmcecosse]

Well done getting the car back on the road! Did you change oil and filter - and was the plate + spring still there - inside the filter bowl, below the filter element ?

[AlMcL]

Hi,changed oil & filter also done engine flush,all filter parts still intact,hope it is not mains,car also runs lumpy on tick over have set timming and mixture new points condensor dizzy cap plugs and leads ect,noise is not heavy only comes on under load does not seem as bad when rev up standing still

[bmcecosse]

Engine flush - oh dear - bad idea I'm afraid! Old engines are best left well alone........ Oil pressure gauge is the way forward.

[AlMcL]

Hi engine flush was only used for about five mins then draind straight out will this still damage engine?if so what is needed?
cheers for that bit of good news

[alex_holden]

Don't worry. I usually flush my engines when I change the oil. The theory behind not using it is that if your oil seals/piston rings are badly worn the build-up of gunge around them might reduce the leakage, so flushing the gunge away will cause them to leak more.

[bmcecosse]

Engine flush is such a waste of money ! Just have the engine good and hot when making the change - and change the oil regularly. And yes as Alex says - it may have washed away all the gunge that was sealing up your engine quite nicely! Fit a gauge and report back the hot pressure - both idling and 40 mph in top gear. I hope you used 20W50 oil ?

[AlMcL]

Yes have used correct oil , just resealed carb as thought may be sucking in air, seems to be a bit quieter,dont think it is mains as i have this problem b4 on a old vauxhall,