Hey guys, newer to the site but I need some help learning on my 63 Buick LeSabre with a 401. I did bunch of work earlier this summer and have been having some issues. I double/triple checked my work and cant figure it out. When I accelerate there is a loud whining noise and the vehicle lacks power. if I accel slow it gets up to speed but still no power and has whine if I stomp on it. I put a new water pump, hoses, radiator, ps hose and intake gaskets. I'm leaning towards and intake issue but cant seem to find one. The whine sounds like its sucking air. can you install intake gaskets on wrong side? It has an adapter plate and an edelbrock carb installed. If you have seen or heard a newer car with the air filter box not put back together correctly, that is what its acting like. Any ideas or suggestions would help.
At first I'm thinking of a sick Dynaflow. Yes, the intake gaskets can go on wrong. Laying them on the head and flipping them over will show you that. We have a member in your neighborhood with a '63 Wildcat that pulled the Dynaflow and put a ST400 transmission in his car some years ago. He may be able to help you out-I'll try and find a link to him if he doesn't read this and chime in
Yes I can make a video and put up a link. Going to pole barn tomorrow and I will do it. I thought possible transmission but only thing is it still does it in park if you rev it up you can hear the noise.
If it's a whistling sound, that points to a vacuum leak. A common mistake is not using the proper carb base heat shield (metal) and/or gaskets. There is a passage/groove in the manifold, and if the carb passages are not sealed off from it, there will be a vacuum leak. In your case, make sure the adapter gasket seals the 4 carb barrels from that groove in the manifold. Intake gaskets can be put on wrong, but it's pretty obvious and it'll barely run.
Take a squirt can with some oil in it, and put some around the base of the carb where it meets the manifold... if it is leaking there , it will suck the oil in and you will know where the leak is.... :idea2:
I am a little late to this and noticed my name mentioned. Has been a long winter so you probably haven't done anything with it. I could probably help with your problem now that I'm retired. I'm thinking tranny wine but without seeing it can't be sure. PM me if you need assistance. Pat
Stupid question: why an adaptor plate and an Edelbrock carb? Your engine should have a square bore carb flange and the Edelbrock carb should be a squarebore design. Can you post some pics of the carb and adaptor? If the bores do not align or the flanges are mismatched that could be the source of your noise.
You mean the old mouse nesting in the muffler. I used to get that when I stored a car outside in the winter. Rev it up in the spring and I get flaming dog food flying out the exhaust. The mice eat good around here.
Low on tranny fluid or front pump has failed. If pump is failed, pressures will be low and drive clutch will slip when accelerated. Pressure check is only sure method to test pump. Have you eliminated power steering as the source of the noise? That would have no effect on how it drives though.
I started this thread a while back and then got side tracked... Helping my dad on his 64 Impala and working my 63 Grand Prix... So... update. I pulled the carb again. Edelbrock 1406... heat passages in manifold are blocked off with plugs. I removed a trans dapt adapter for carb. not sure if it really needed it but it was there when purchased car. new gasket installed on carb. replaced brake booster fitting on manifold. Pretty sure this was leaking/sucking air. let it run... idles good. but 1 sticking lifter I think. checked for vacuum leak but cant find one. In reverse will spin tires no problem. In drive - light accel it works well. up hill or stomping on it she screams in a bad way. makes a loud whine, engine gets loud but car looses speed on hills. My father moved in with us so I used him to step on gas when in park. It makes the noise in park as well. loudest from passenger side exhaust or trans area under car at rear of engine. Almost feels like plugged exhaust when stomping on it but I could be wrong and it could be trans issue. I don't know much about these transmissions. Any suggestions on next step?
Assuming that the trans is in good shape,,,, exhaust restrictions are a possibility.... the quick check is to un do them at the exhaust manifolds and if the power picks up,,, you know there is a plug up problem.... the original pipes from the factory are /can be restrictive.... first off,, they go from 2'' pipes down to 1 3/4'' back at the bumper.... and,,,, they were actually a pipe within a pipe,,, the inner pipe can rust out and then fold over on the inside,,,:Brow: you cannot see it,,, but it is a good plug....:laugh: Personally , I would open the heat passages and install a holley carb on that puppy.... my cars run much better with heat to the carb....
