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| | | Forums66 Topics128,139 Posts1,056,756 Members48,454 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 2 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 2 | Hey everyone got a 51' 6cyl.(need a little help
I'm trying to get my truck in time and I guess the fly-wheel has been replaced by the last owner ( from what I'm told)Is there a hole that needs to be lined up to get to TDC. I can get the engine to crank and fire but it's so out of time it won't stay running. I don't know if that makes any sense or not. But if anyone has any suggestions on timing or any parts ,please let me know. :confused: :confused: :confused:
Gregory L Kocyba
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | You're going to need a few basic tools: a set of feeler guages, screwdriver, and a timing light. First: set the points. Pop the top off the distributor (you can leave the wires in place) and bump start or turn the engine by hand until the points are all the way open (rubbing block on one of the points of the cam). Adjust the point gap to .018" by loosening the hold down screw on the base plate and moving it. Once the gap is set, tighten up the hold down screw and put the cap back on. Then connect the timing light to the #1 cylinder, disconnect and plug the vacuum advance line going to the carb. Start the engine and let it idle while you point the light at the flywheel housing opening. Adjust the timing by loosening the clamp and rotating the distributor until the steel ball on the flywheel lines up with the pointer on the housing. Tighten up the clamp and you're all done. I see this is your first post - welcome to the 'bolt!! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 125 Member | | Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 125 | kocyba51....welcome. I read your post as a question on where the timing "hole" is. You will see it in the bellhousing if you look above the starter. If you go under the truck and remove the cover on the bottom of the bellhousing you can rotate the engine till you find the ball that is set in the flywheel (some flywheels have a triangle shaped mark instead of a ball). Clean it and put a touch of white paint on it. Also put a touch of white paint on the pointer in the "hole". When timing the engine this paint will make seeing the timing marks a breeze when the timing light is flashing. Then follow the directions waldo53 gave above. Good luck with the truck and welcome to the 'bolt.
Carl
'58 3600 350/4-sp/stepside/big window cab '59 3100 235/4-sp/stepside
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Welcome to the Stovebolt page. Now that you have one of these great old trucks your next purchase should be a reprint of the service manual.
There is a tune-up section in it that details all the things that need to be right to get your engine running right. Setting the points and plugs will probably get it running but if it has low compression, valves out of adjustment or any of a number of other symptoms, it won't run right.
Don't let anyone convince you you need to dump that 6 and get a 350. Good luck on your project. | | |
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