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53 engine doing strange things


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magicman92625
Novice

Jan 24, 2009, 7:34 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1487 views)
53 engine doing strange things Sign In

HI there still working on a 53 chevy pickup which has sat for a long time it has a new carb rebuilt distributor new points plugs wires coil it was not really torn down but everything seems tight and functional .....we have put it on compression stroke on number one (thumb over hole ) aligned the pointer with the dot on the flywheel (the notch on the vibration damper is straight up as well ) and set the distributor with the rotor at twelve oclock the oil pump feel right into place and I static timed it with a light bulb so that the lamp just went off........not even a chug though it seemed the starter was a little slow kind of like to much back pressure? maybe .........after it wouldn't start we tried to set it back to tdc ( mark on flywheel etc.) for some reason now the rotor is at six oclock.........Is that possiblle or has she sliped a gear or something..........????????? not sure if it ran before it was put in the barn Any thoughts help PLEASE I am loosing my mind it should just start shouldn't it(to much stress )
THANKS in advance Scott


Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Jan 24, 2009, 7:41 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1486 views)
Re: 53 engine doing strange things Sign In

On the compression stroke, at TDC, drop the distributor in so that the rotor is pointing to #1 on the cap. Clock position in unimportant. Then, make sure the firing order is correct. I can look it up if you don't have it. If I recall, those valves are adjustable. When's the last time they were checked?
Loren
SW Washington


magicman92625
Novice

Jan 24, 2009, 8:00 PM

Post #3 of 5 (1484 views)
Re: 53 engine doing strange things Sign In

when the distributor is set in place as stated before should the rotor be exactly aligned with the cap or is it coming into alignment as the rotor moves ? thinking now maybe I am off one notch on the helical gear when I dropped her back in ?
it is getting spark though I check that with a plug out we have double checked the firing order as well.......Thanks Loren you are a great source of info What do you mean by adjustable valves? it has rocker arms with lift rods from the cam and adjustment screw and nut at the top maybe a little tight but all move freely the book says to adjust clearances after warm up so haven't really checked yet............THANKS again Scott


Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Jan 24, 2009, 8:08 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1481 views)
Re: 53 engine doing strange things Sign In

As the dist. is dropped into place, the rotor will turn as the dist. drive gear meshes with the cam gear. You need to account for this movement while putting the dist. in, or you will be a tooth off. It may not want to drop in all of the way where you want it to. That's okay...just tap the engine over a bump at a time until it drops into place. Then, bring it back up on TDC and recheck.
The valve adjustment, yes, should be done warm, but you can check it cold, allowing for heat expansion. ( if it calls for .020 warm, .022 should be okay when cold. Again, if you need specs, let me know. Always better to be a little loose, than a little tight.
Loren
SW Washington


magicman92625
Novice

Jan 24, 2009, 8:26 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1478 views)
Re: 53 engine doing strange things Sign In

Thanks Loren I will try to move it one notch tomorrow it just seemed very strange the rotor seemed to end in a different spot when we put her on tdc on number one with it being at the top of the distributor one time and then in a different spot(after trying to start her) the next time towards the bottom and not back in the same area at the top I didn't think it could do that...... we recently obtained the shop manual but it doesn't help with this problem ..........helps with all the specs though........Scott






 
 
 






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