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tjmezzan · 10-21-2014, 06:05 PM

I have a 35' 1996 Damon Intruder. 460 Ford Engine and Ford Transmission. We traveled from California to the East Coast towing a 2008 GMC Canyon. I recently noticed that when it shifts out of OD, there is sometimes a sort of roaring sound. Not sure if it's coming from the transmission or engine. It's not very loud and the tachometer doesn't move, so don't think the tranny is slipping. We are in Amarillo TX right now, getting ready to leave in the morning. We have another $1,400 miles to go. Does this sound like I have anything to worry about? Thank you!

pivotdoc · 10-21-2014, 06:30 PM

Probably the fan clutch is engaging, to pull more air through the radiator under load. It makes a pronounced roar that spooks some folks..........

JB

jamesrxx951 · 10-21-2014, 06:39 PM

The 460 coach's have a notorious fan noise. If you have a forced downshift into 3rd and hear the noise with the increased engine RPMs im guessing it is the fan. On that transmission the only thing that occurs on the 4-3 downshift is the OD clutch releases. No other clutchs apply or releases. Every upshift does not have a clutch that releases, more clutchs apply only. Downshifts clutchs releases.

BFlinn181 · 10-21-2014, 06:40 PM

If the RPMs aren't changing and there's no expensive sounding clunks or jerks, I think it is probably the radiator fan as pivotdoc suggested.

Interesting you measure distance by dollars ($) instead of miles!

tjmezzan · 10-21-2014, 07:12 PM

Thanks to everyone for responding! Knowing it's probably just a fan noise makes me feel much better! I needed the confidence to drive this thing the rest of the way home! Love this forum!

wa8yxm · 10-22-2014, 10:46 AM

I drive a workhorse so it's an Chevy 8.1L but.. Same thing, when that main engine fan kicks in PLUG YOUR EARS

rt749 · 10-29-2014, 12:35 PM

My Intruder is a 2002 with the Workhorse chassis. I have had it just over 2 years and have learned that the roar is normal and tells me everything is fine! It took me longer to understand the higher pitched noise when the radiator fans kick in as the engine gets warmer. Just happened to be looking at the temp gauge and noticed that when it went back down to normal, the noise (of the fans) stopped!
It is an every day learning experience. Just today I found breakers in the bedroom and got some outlets to work that I thought were dead. Also figured out how to light pilot and use oven! Life is good.....

tjmezzan · 10-31-2014, 11:34 PM

rt749,
The sound I hear is not really high pitched. More of a deep roar. It happens mostly when I have at it in OD to make it up the hill and as it goes over the crest and starts down, the roar happens. As I go down the hill, it slowly subsides. From all of the experienced responses, I am sticking with it being the fan clutch. Thanks again to everyone.

adamfolger · 11-01-2014, 12:02 AM

That's exactly how it sounds and acts going over the top of a hill...

BFlinn181 · 11-01-2014, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjmezzan

rt749,
The sound I hear is not really high pitched. More of a deep roar. It happens mostly when I have at it in OD to make it up the hill and as it goes over the crest and starts down, the roar happens. As I go down the hill, it slowly subsides. From all of the experienced responses, I am sticking with it being the fan clutch. Thanks again to everyone.

Overdrive is to reduce RPMs and used on flat ground when HP is sufficient to keep vehicle moving without lugging the engine. Do you really use OD to go up hills?? It would certainly raise temperatures as engine is working harder at lower RPMs, causing coolant to circulate slower. Your 460 is modified to be a truck engine, getting it's torque at lower RPMs than a car 460. Maximum torque is probably around 2,200 - 2,800 RPM. Try to keep engine turning within those limits and you'll climb hills better, with less heat (and the noisy fan) and put less stress on your engine.

tjmezzan · 11-01-2014, 10:11 PM

My bad. I get the in and out of OD reversed in my head. OD is off going up the hill, as you said. If it was in OD I probaby wouldn't even make it up the hill to begin with. Thanks.