OK. The engine is a brand new rebuild. New distributor, points, condenser, rotor, cap, plugs, and wires. Compression is good in all cylinders, none more than 5# different. New starter, new radiator, new water pump and fan.
The truck starts up immediately, no problem, idles after the choke is off. I don't know how it should drive, but in fourth gear I could only get it up to 45. Keep in mind this is a 3800 (one ton) with the SM420 transmission and 5.14 rear end, so I don't expect it to be a speed demon! Although the last time I really drove it (in 1981) it would get up to 55, barely.
It has a foot starter, so no solenoid. I checked the timing when I was adjusting the valves, lined up with the BB.
I have adjusted the carb as well as I can, adjusting idle miz screw and idle speed. I pulled the thermostat and drilled a small hole in it to let any air pocket escape.
I thought there might be a problem with the radiator, or maybe junk in the block. The water in the radiator looked awfully rusty to me, so I drained the system, refilled with water, ran until warm, drained, refilled with radiator flush solution, ran for about half an hour, drained, filled with water, ran, drained and finally refilled with 50/50 water/antifreeze. Now the water in the radiator looks good, still a hint of rust but mostly green. I have a 160 thermostat installed.
I haven't measured the clearance between the fan and radiator, but I'll check that tomorrow. Also the size of the fan and pitch and number of blades.
"Mark the hash mark on the flywheel with a paint marker or something. Bring the hash mark to the bb." How? aren't they both on the flywheel? I don't know what year the flywheel is, it came with the engine so I assumed it was a 59. I know it is a 12 volt flywheel.
The reason I'm considering the timing is because I can't think of what else it could be. And at least if I KNOW the timeing is correct I can rule that out.
Right now I'm considering installing a 16" pusher electric fan in front of the radiator and removing the fan on the water pump. In case the problem is due to the low mounted fan. Although back in 1981 it didn't overheat (that I remember) and it had a 1962 235 with a low mount pump and fan.
I'm searching for anything that might solve this problem.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur (
https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road.
Tim
