The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Help with newly installed 216 engine

Well, it's all done. The 216 has been completely rebuilt and is back in the truck. I be excited.

But . . . I am having two problems:

1. There is no oil up at the rockers. Before installing the engine I spun the oil pump with an old distributor and drill motor - lots of oil up top at the rockers. Now after peeking under the valve cover there was very little oil. This was after extensive turning over with the starter. What could have changed? The only thing that I added after spinning the oil pump before installing the engine was a bypass oil filter.

2. I cannot get a spark from the coil. I have a new battery and I have checked the wiring a few times. There is good spark at the points. I have verified that the distributor is in correctly - it lines up well with TDC. There are 6 volts at the positive side of the coil and 6 volts at the negative side of the coil. The points are gapped to .018. I have tried changing out the 6 volt coil. I have tried two coils - the original one that worked before I swapped the engine and one coil that is new. I have checked the polarity reversing switch and there are 6 volts at each of the two outer poles with a good ground in the center. What do I do now?

I want to say, "thanks" in advance. Thanks!

Michael Lubitz
(512) 306-1681
'46 3/4 ton stock named, "Buddy"

1) You won't get much oil flow up to the rockers by turning it over. The oil distributor valve will not send any up there until you have full pressure. If you are worried, try the drill routine again.

2) Turn the motor over until the points are open. Put a spark plug wire in the coil tower, attach to a spare spark plug and lay it on the valve cover. Now , with a spare jumper, apply a ground to the coil wire that goes to the points. Do this momentarily several times. You should then see the spark.

The next step is to see the spark while turning the motor over. After that, re-install the coil wire in the tower and look for a spark at one of the spark plug wires with the spare plug.

Check to see if you have continuity from the coil tower to the - side of the coil. If you don't, it indicates a bad secondary winding in the coil. It's unlikely that you have 2 bad ones, but it is possible. The fact that the points are sparking indicates that you have a good primary winding in the coil. What do you mean when you say you have 6 volts at the negative side of the coil? How exactly were you checking that?

Try a new condensor. I think the oil will come
up when you get it started.