I would have finished checking the 1954 235 engine but 2 different starters smoked. 4 compression strokes per cylinder test and then rest for a few minutes. I need to rebuild the starters anyway. Per 12-21. As far as the engine rings and or valves leak. I have never heard this engine run. Oil is ok not green or brown. Jims Automotive Machine in Brunswick has 2 of my 848 heads he is machining for me. I plan on having him machine this 235 and if needed install a set of 30 under for the crank that I purchased from The Filling Station. Thoughts.
My guess is #2 is going to be a valve, probably exhaust, not rings. Try getting #2 to TDC on the compression stroke and then applying compressed air through the spark plug hole. Listen for the leak at the exhaust pipe and the carb with the throttle open.
Ignoring #2, I'd accept the +- of the other 5 cylinders at near the average of 114 psi. Not great, but servicable.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Be sure the valve clearance has been adjusted before trying a compression test. I've seen a tight valve give a false compression test reading on several occasions. Ditto on the cylinder leakdown check- - - -it will give you a much more accurate idea of what's going on. I use an air pressure regulator to adjust the pressure to 100 PSI with no air flowing, and record the pressure with the air connected to each cylinder. For instance- - - -90 PSI at the cylinder = a 10% leakdown rate. A good cylinder will score somewhere in the mid to high 90s. Air leak at the exhaust port- - - -bad exhaust valve, air at the carburetor, bad intake valve- - - -air at the oil filler, bad piston rings. Bubbles in the radiator- - - - -leaky head gasket or a cracked cylinder head or cylinder wall. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Ok sounds good. Ordered a leak-down test from Amazon. Can’t have too many tools. Will report my findings. The Filling Station is sending me a rebuilt starter for 12 volts, I asked and it’s built to work pre. 55. So the flywheel should not be an issue.
Good luck with that. There's no need to do anything to 6V foot starters as long as you have a 139 tooth flywheel- - - - -just put 12V to it and go. Put this switch on the 6V starter to bypass the ignition resistor.
The resto-ripoff places count on taking money from gullible people who don't know when to ask the right questions. Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 10/02/202612:08 AM. Reason: Fat fingered that one!
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
New question. For the production year 1954 I noticed in the specifications that the engine had an early production and a later production. The early production camshaft has small journals, and the late production has the same journals as the 261. I cannot locate what the specific date this change occurred. Can anyone help clear this up.
I think Jerry had a short between his keyboard and chair. That should be 139 teeth.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
New question. For the production year 1954 I noticed in the specifications that the engine had an early production and a later production. The early production camshaft has small journals, and the late production has the same journals as the 261. I cannot locate what the specific date this change occurred. Can anyone help clear this up.
Thanks
Shady
That change actually involves "early 235" spray oiler engines, (1941-53) which ran the same cams as the 216. All the full pressure 235s I've ever worked on had the large journal cam. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
If oil doesn't bring it up, no 2 probably has a burned or stuck valve. Pour some Marvel Mystery oil down the stems of both valves on No, 2 and let it set a few days. Carbon on the stem will keep them from sealing properly. If you have a burned valve, it will get worse in a hurry and you will soon have a dead miss.
This test was performed with a quality decibel meter with the upper limit set at 80db, and my new leak/ pressure tester. The psi setting for the test was 90lb. This old boy does not hear as well as he used to. Rocker shaft was removed, tapped on the valves and they are springy. Marvel Mystery Oil soak the top end for a few days.
If I am reading the leakdown test results in your pictures correctly cylinder 1 is the most significant problem and the one noted to have a leak into the intake system. Cylinder #6 is marginal. Before you tear the whole thing down check the #1 intake valve to ensure it has lash (maybe adjust to have exccess lash). Just because you have some leakage past the rings doesn't mean the engine needs to be torn down.
Cylinders #4 and #5 results look strangely high pressure (low leakage)?
Unless it has total seal rings ( gapless ), you will always have a leak at each cylinder. What you are looking for is one that is way different than the others.
I would run it on a stand then checking it.
Rebuilding it then storing it is not something I would do. Valve springs and rings don't like to set under compression, seals dry out when not used, and no matter how good you seal it up or lubricate it, it will have some crude build up or rust from setting. Your best bet is to run it on a stand, make sure theres no bad sounds, it has oil pressure, and doesn't over heat. Back off the lash adjustment, change out the oil, over fill it a lot so most of the bottom end is under oil, pull the plugs so the cylinders dry out, and drain all water out when its still hot. Let the heat of the block dry it out. Don't use coolant, water drys much quicker. Once completely cooled off, pour some oil in each cylinder, rotate the crank to spread it around, install spark plugs, wrap it up and put it in a dry location. Once every six months or so, roll it out and turn it up side down to coat the whole inside with oil again, and put it back away. If it was rebuilt and you all of a sudden needed to use it, you would still have to tear into it to check for rust or mice, then hope the rings didn't get stuck and the valve springs are still good. Always, store engines with valve adjustments back off so valves are closed, pressure is off the spring, and hydraulic lifters are released. Use good rubber plugs on all holes ( not tape !!! ) and make sure they seal. It wouldn't hurt to include a box of those small moisture absorbing packets scattered around the engine before wrapping it up, the more the better. Wrap it tight to keep out bugs, wasps really like engines. If the carburetor is still on it, spray it down with WD40 inside and out, then plan on rebuilding it when it's time to use it. Or rebuild it now using WD40 on the gaskets and rubber parts, vacuum seal it in a heavy plastic bag, and store where it won't get damaged.
Lots a very good points, (But Lol) I believe this motor may be needed sooner that later. So at my age I need to get this built while are my parts are still cooperating. And the closest engine machine shop that knows and works on these engines is a day away! I plan on leaving this on my engine run stand so starting and running now and then won’t be a problem. And that I live in SW Fla. my shop has 4 tons of a/c. The lizards eats all the bugs. Haha. The engine sitting the 50 has not been run since I broke it in some years ago so this will be my back up.
Your leakdown test procedure with the rocker arms removed is seriously flawed, unless you're also locking the crankshaft with each cylinder at the top of its stroke. That's where the maximum wear (and leakage) is present. The air pressure will push the piston to the bottom of its travel otherwise, where wear and leakage will beat a minimum. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Back to the School of Hard Knocks, I can set the test like you have stated but not sure of the best way to lock the crank down sitting in the engine dolly, any thoughts.
