The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Gas, And 235 Question

Hi guys, I went out to try and start my 55 again, and found out that the gas tank is completely empty, this is odd because the gas gauge shows 1/4 tank. Is there something wrong with the gas gauge unit in the tank, cause the gauge works fine unless it only goes down to a point.

Also, the 'ol 235 straight six is telling me to take her in the shop, and fix her up. Basically it needs a complete rebuild. But, I can grab the cooling fan by 2 blades, and turn the motor all 360 degrees without a problem, is this a compression thing, like the rings or head gasket? The motor ran very week the last time I drove it. It wouldnt even make it up a hill in granny gear, and thats pretty darn bad.

Thanks,

- Shane

Pull the gas tank sending unit out and inspect it. There may be some gunk on the pivot point to keep it from dropping all the way down.

Were your spark plugs in when you turned the engine? If so, you do have bad compression problems. I would bet on rings, but a bad head gasket won't help either.

Of course the spark plugs were in, if tey werent I would know thats why...lol. Anyway, I know that the rings do need replacing since the engine smokes blue a little, and I figured it was the rings, or head gasket causing the compresion thing. Thanks for the help, and more help would be appreciated!

- Shane

Shane, I wouldn't worry about the gas guage till I had the engine running, right. Go through the basics first. If you think the rings are bad do a compression check. But make sure the battery is up to par and is cranking the engine at the proper speed. If the compression is OK then check fuel, ignition, timing, and so on. Good luck. Mike

Yeah, I think the gas thing is not important. Me and my dad were thinking someone siphoned the gas out of it, but I got abtou 1/4 tank of gas from a parts truck and that got it running again. I tried going up the hill again and got one hell of a high reved run and it still didnt make it, 2nd gear wasnt any better, lol. So, I parked the truck and said "shes retired for now" to my uncle. Thanks for the help guys,

- Shane

Well aparently this engine is a gas hog, and the gas gauge is inaccurate. A day ago I put atleast 3 gallons of gas in the tank, and drove it down our driveway and back. Then I went to go turn the truck around to have a 3/4 axle put in the bed, the dang thing wouldnt even go up this slight little slant of a hill its so week, then it died and was out of gas! I was so [censored] you would not even belive it. But, this weekend I will try and fix my 73 tranny problem, and the carb leakage. Hopefully all will go well, and I can get these things fixed!

- Shane

Shane I would check for a gas leak. Or check your oil. You may have a bad fuel pump. First thing I would do is a compression test. Charge up the battery and do the comp test. That will tell you alot. Let us know what your readings are. good luck

Yup, check for the "oil" to be way high on the dipstick. Sometimes a bad fuel pump will pump gas into the crankcase. And some 235s can be turned by the blades. Its not really a scientific test. If compression is above 100 psi or so in all cylinders, give the truck a tune up and enjoy it running.

chip