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Best Car for a Quiet Ride? - READ ONLY

26 messages,  Last post on Dec 20, 2012 at 8:36 PM

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Messages Page 3 of 3

#17 of 26 Re: Quietest Interiors? [oldbearcat] by hpmctorque

Nov 24, 2011 (6:40 am)

Replying to: oldbearcat (Nov 24, 2011 12:13 am)
I don't really understand the technical nuances that you describe regarding your 216, but it's my understanding that the '53 Stovebolt on Powerglide equipped Chevys, and all '54 Stovebolts eliminated the deficiencies you described. Those later engines were supposed to be excellent, would you agree? Also, it's my impression that at least until the Stovebolt eliminated the old babbit bearings, Plymouth's flathead six was the best engine among the "low-priced 3." How do you feel the Chevy, Ford and Plymouth engines of that era compared?
 
Do you have an opinion regarding Ford's OHV I-6, introduced in '52 model cars? I understand that engine could outperform the optional flathead V8. For '54 Ford replaced the flathead V8 with a new OHV V8.

#19 of 26 less clutter equals quieter? by steve_ HOST

Dec 19, 2012 (5:23 pm)

A reporter is looking for any drivers out there who can discuss the creative ways they've tried to keep their car clutter-free. There are so many gadgets, toys for kids, stuff for pets and other goods carried along in vehicles today, and he'd like to know how you manage or organize all these things inside your car. If you think you have helpful tips or ideas, please let us know at predmunds.com by Monday December 24th.

#20 of 26 Re: Quietest Interiors? [hpmctorque] by oldbearcat

Dec 19, 2012 (10:03 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 24, 2011 6:40 am)
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Yes, I think you're correct - the 53 Powerglide engines had a full pressure bottom end, and, are much better. I also owned a 37 Dodge back in the 60's with the flathead 6 - so I'm familiar with that engine as well. It had some design issues too. It only had 3 main bearings, so if you lugged the engine frequently, you'd pound the main bearings out of it. The flathead engine doesn't breathe as well as the OHV Chevy engine, so it makes a bit less HP/cubic inch displacement, and, is less responsive. Valve adjustments were much more difficult on the flatheads as well. The valve covers were on the side of the engine, and, getting the valves adjusted was difficult. The old Dodge flathead was a long stroke design, just like the Chevys of the day, so both make peak torque at low rpm. From the info I've read about the 216 in my Chevy, if the splash lube setup is set up correctly, its longevity is as good as the Dodge Flathead's. I don't know anything about the Ford 6 - have never messed with one.
 
Regards:
Oldbearcat

#21 of 26 Re: Quietest Interiors? [oldbearcat] by uplanderguy

Dec 20, 2012 (6:05 am)

Replying to: oldbearcat (Dec 19, 2012 10:03 pm)
I know this will be met with derision by those 'experts' who grudgingly admit they've never sat in one yet ridden or driven in one, but I think most would be surprised how quiet my Cobalt is on the highway, with its fifth gear and lack of wind or road noise. Absolutely more silent than either my coworker's Civic or Matrix. And at idle...you would be ocmpelled to try and start it while running. It is that smooth and totally quiet.
 
I replaced the tires with the same brand on it new, as part of the "XFE" package, and they are quiet.
 
The engine can be a little "thrashy" as you go up the gears, but not offensively so.
 
Other than that, our '93 Caprice Classic was probably the quietest car I've owned.
 
I can remember riding in a new '77 Caprice Classic. There was a complete absence of sound. It was notably quieter than our same-year Impala...mostly engine sound (Impala didn't have a 'hood blanket').
 
Our Malibu is quiet, but at 23K miles seems like the tires are getting noisy. That's another late-day 'enhancement' I don't seem to remember in older cars, unfortunately.

#22 of 26 Depends on the road content by euphonium

Dec 20, 2012 (12:32 pm)

New Blacktop is pretty quiet. New Concrete, if laid right, is quiet also.
 
Chip N Seal roads are not quiet to begin with so buy a Lincoln MKS.
 
Gravel roads on the way to Alaska are to be avoided in any luxury motorcar.

#23 of 26 Re: Depends on the road content [euphonium] by steve_ HOST

Dec 20, 2012 (1:20 pm)

Replying to: euphonium (Dec 20, 2012 12:32 pm)
Except for the construction spots, the Alaska Highway has been paved for a couple of three decades now. Even the Cassiar doesn't have much gravel left.
 
Lots of tires do seem to get noisier as they age.

#24 of 26 Re: Quietest Interiors? [oldbearcat] by hpmctorque

Dec 20, 2012 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: oldbearcat (Dec 19, 2012 10:03 pm)
" if the splash lube setup is set up correctly..."
 
What does set up correctly mean? Didn't the factory set it up correctly and, if not, why not?

#25 of 26 Re: Quietest Interiors? [uplanderguy] by hpmctorque

Dec 20, 2012 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Dec 20, 2012 6:05 am)
I rented a Cobalt a few years back and I liked it, except for the steering. The steering felt rather vague and artificial.

#26 of 26 Re: Quietest Interiors? [hpmctorque] by oldbearcat

Dec 20, 2012 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 20, 2012 5:13 pm)
hpm:
Of course the factory set the lube system up correctly. However, the engine in my car is the original, 64 years old, and has been rebuilt by a previous owner. As I mentioned, this engine has dippers on its rod caps that feed oil into the rod bearings at idle. The dippers pick up oil from 6 troughs in the oil pan. Above idle, the oil pressure comes up to 14 psi, and 6 nozzles mounted in the side of the oil pan spray high volume streams on oil at the big end of the rods and into the dippers. To be set up correctly, a set of guages are used to set the clearance between the dippers and the troughs, and, to make sure the nozzles are aimed correctly. When the oil pan is removed for a pan gasket change, etc., then these settings should be checked to make sure the lube system works correctly after re-assembly. I'm assuming that the mechanic that rebuilt my engine got things back together correctly because I've run the car at her comfortable cruising speed of 55 - 60 mph for 100 miles several times without problems, and, had her up to 75 mph for very brief periods.
 
I read an old road test done by Floyd Climer on a new 49 Chevy with the 216, and, he ran the car flat out for several hours without hurting it.
 
Regards:
Oldbearcat

Messages Page 3 of 3

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