48 Dodge six engine problems...maybe. Have test figures.

[Guest Hockeye]

I think this is a valid question for many makes of the era,

but the sick patient in question is a 1946 Dodge flathead.

When started cold (seventy degrees or so) it vibrates severely,

and will hardly accelerate from idle.

After warming up it idles smoothly, but giving it some--

a little-throttle the vibration recurs, and further throttle

usually sounds pretty good. No load, remember.

Driving, once warmed up, it is OK up to about 40, with OK

power, when the vibration gets pretty bad. You have to hold

down on the shift lever because it is rattling and carrying on

something fierce. Fifty-five is out of the question.

Too much vibration.

Here are the figures for compression tests

and vacuum on warm engine.

Dry cylinder After adding uniform amount of oil

60 100

55 87

60 105

70 75

55 105

vacuum at idle almost nonexistent.

at revved speed, 15-20

My bud says he can feel the fluid drive unit vibrating as if it were

out of balance somehow. Fluid level was fine.

Q: Would these test readings support the conclusion that

the vibration is caused by the worn-out engine?

Q2: What else, if not nearly conclusively the engine, could cause the vibration and poor power? I suppose the poor power could be so explained.