1960 Crankshaft Noise

[60eldo]

   Since I bought my 60 cad 3 years ago it has this ticking from the front of engine .When I removed the bolt and it (the bolt) snapped in half. I tryed another one longer of course with a few washers, and it got worse, when car warmed up it got better but was still there. It just dawned on me today that when I put in a longer bolt I was just pushing on the broken stud inside. Am I right in thinking that if I were to put in a shorter bolt , not hitting the broken stud that ,that might pull the crank forward a enough to stop the ticking. The bolt on the left is the one that snapped, the other 2 are good ones.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

This bolt will not move the crankshaft in any way, forward or back, as it retains the front hub/harmonic balancer/pulleys in place.

Something else must be causing the noise.

Bruce.

[Dave Shepherd]

Seconded

[60eldo]

  So what does this bolt screw into? When I tighten it to 60lbs, its really loud knock so I back it off until it gets better

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

That bolt is into a blind hole in the end of the crankshaft.

Don't know how it could cause any problems you describe, unless the crankshaft is actually cracked, and the tightening is distorting the end.

Bruce.

[Big Fins]

It could be forcing the lower pulley and balancer into the front cover retaining bolts or the lip of the oil pan.

[Poncholover]

Ohh, My head!
First, that broken bolt must come out. If you have ruined the crank treads, perhaps they can be repaired with a thread insert? A professional will know.
If not, the crank has to come out which will likely reveal the source of the noise.
The tick means that something is loose. Could be a timing gear with a loose key way. The crank key way can be repaired.
Never seen a damaged cam key way. But cams are cheap. Just likely outa stock these days...
First step will be to remove the radiator, pump manifold, timing cover to look around.
Interested in what will be found...
(And that second bolt is not "good" Throw it out. None of them have any business in an engine, given their condition.)

[Big Fins]

I've never seen a cam keyway on a Cadillac engine. Two locating pins and a fuel pump eccentric is held on with a bolt.

[Poncholover]

Wondering how this turned out...

[James Landi]

Could there be an issue with a worn thrust bearing?  Try pulling and pushig the crank shaft forward and back--- with a pry bar.  If you can move the entire crank shaft fore and aft, that may well be your noise.  When you're experimenting with the bolts, you may, in fact, be moving the crank shaft, thus unknowingly changing the noise.  Hope this helps,  James