I just bought a 49 pickup with 216 engine and no distributor. The engine looks good, has no stuck valves, and has compression. However, a lot of wires to it are cut, and the mounting bolts are out. I am unsure whether someone was pulling the motor to replace it, or pulling a good motor to put in another truck. I'd like to see if this engine runs but I don't have a distributor for it, and hate to buy one if the engine is not any good. I do have a 235 distributor on a good '61 engine (destined for another truck). I've read in the archives not to use the 235 dist without switching gears (which I don't have). I see LMC lists the same distributor for both 216 and 235. So, can I use my 235 distributor in the 216? I'd like to use the 235 dist, get the 216 running for a few minutes, see if it knocks or smokes excessively, and if it appears that it is fixable get a distributor for it. Will it work? Thanks for any help!
Josh
