The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stovebolts can be really annoying!

- Wirewizards: Have spark on #1 sparkplug while grounding it removed. Haven't tested the rest.

- Backfire is out the exhaust when towing. Timing mark on the flywheel matches TDC of the piston and the valves are closed on #1.

- Don stocker: This has been a several week attempt trying variations of timing advance and retard. Flooding it and running it dry. Still not sure exactly what the compression is. Checking comp is on the list. I'll oil the rings if needed. Was hoping the tow would get me compression.

- tcelderman: Firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Just checked again.

- Hotrod Lincoln: I haven't tried one tooth off retard or advance. I'll give it a shot. My timing has been based on; finding the flywheel timing mark "beebee", feeling for piston with a wire through the plug hole (compression confirmed with cranking - finger over hole), checking rockers for tension on #1 valves. Then set distributor to point at #1. I was able to crank the engine by hand while it was out of the truck but haven't found a method for doing so while installed. I've been using a remote starter to bump it over.

I appreciate the input guys. These old engines seem to need voodoo to get them started. I'm a BMW mechanic, no joke! This old stovebolt has had me scratching my head. These days I'm used to troubleshooting direct injection and variable valve lift systems. Who would have thought I'd have trouble with suck-squeeze-bang-blow!?