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| | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 | I just installed a 1958 235 engine in my 1954 chevy pickup. The engine turns over but does not start. I pulled the coil wire and did not see a spark when the engine cranks. Did I hook up the coil incorrectly? Does the + side go to the starter or the distributor? Do I need to change the condensor as the engine was 12V? It has the 1958 distributor still in the engine. All other parts were swapped from my old engine. All the components were working before I swapped engines. The old engine had a cracked block but did run. Thanks for any help. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | welcome to the bolt...............looks like if the engine was running previous, it should be now..not sure why you would need to change the condensor if it was working before......this is a 12 volt truck, isn't it..........while I am thinking maybe someone else will chime in.. you might read this old post and see if it helps click here here is another one click here
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | 1954 Chevrolet Pickup,
Welcome to the Stovebolt. The + side of the coil should go to the keyswitch, not to the starter. This would apply if the rig was 6 volt and had a standard transmission. The other side of the coil which is - goes to the distributor. You will want a coil compatible with the trucks current voltage. The condenser should be fine. The first order of business would be to make sure you have voltage to the + side of the coil when you turn the key on. Do you have a voltmeter of some sort?
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Welcome aboard! Originally posted by atomarc:
The first order of business would be to make sure you have voltage to the + side of the coil when you turn the key on. Do you have a voltmeter of some sort? One of those probes with the light in it will work too. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | Yeah, a test light is all you need. With the key in the "ON" position the + side of the coil should be "hot". That wire should come from a ballast resistor on the firewall and from there back to the ignition switch. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 | Originally posted by 1954 Chevrolet Pickup:
I just installed a 1958 235 engine in my 1954 chevy pickup. The engine turns over but does not start. I pulled the coil wire and did not see a spark when the engine cranks. Did I hook up the coil incorrectly? Does the + side go to the starter or the distributor? Do I need to change the condensor as the engine was 12V? It has the 1958 distributor still in the engine. All other parts were swapped from my old engine. All the components were working before I swapped engines. The old engine had a cracked block but did run. Thanks for any help. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 | Thanks for all the advice. I rechecked the coil and made sure that it was connected correctly. I used a voltage meter and read 6 volts on the + side of the coil. I didn't have anyone around to crank the truck and check for a spark from the coil so need to do that next, I guess? Is there anything I should be checking on the distributor? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | 1954 Chevrolet Truck,
If you have good voltage to the positive side of the coil as you indicate, and the points are set properly, opening as they should, your plugs should fire. Re-check your point setting carefully. Make sure you have the wires in firing order sequence, 153624 and that the timing is proper.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 | I will recheck those and try again. Thanks a million! | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 7 | I got the truck running this weekend! I followed all the good advice and just need to finish putting the front end back together. Thanks for all your help. | | |
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