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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 50
C
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
C Offline
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 50
Don't ask how it worked out this way but it did! A '42 flywheel from a 216 is mounted on a '55 full pressure 235, in a '54 chassis. As long as I don't stomp on it too much the 9 inch clutch doesn't get too blue! The problem is the timing mark is the usual pressed in steel ball, but I think the '42 216 flywheel had that ball pressed in at something different than what it was for the later '55 and 56 Stovebolt 235. 5, 6, 7, degrees BTDC?? If I knew that actual number I could dial it in on my handy Snap On timing advance timing light!
So now that I've had an overheating problem which appears to be timing related, what is the actual NUMBER of DEGREES in BTDC timing that the '55 motor should run on? Anyone, anyone...?

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,708
A
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,708
Chevr aulait,

I did a little search, and all it shows is the reference to alignment with the steel ball in the flywheel.

What that equates to in degrees BTDC I don't know.


If you think your heating problem is timing related, I would think you should have at least a little ping.

The SOP is to advance the timing until you hear the ping, or see the temp go up...then back it off until you loose the pre-ignition and/or the elevated operating temp.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but these are pretty unsophisticated engines.

Stuart

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 50
C
Wrench Fetcher
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 50
Thanks atomarc for the tip. I found an interesting website on old Pontiacs and overheating problems, but yet again that site suggests "advancing the timing a few degrees" without an actual number and some other tips. (Not that a Pontiac number would help me any!)
http://www.gtoalley.com/ttcool.html
I'll run better-than-regular gas and bump up the timing a bit beyond the "steel ball" but I sure wish I had an engineer's number to aim at!

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 50
C
Wrench Fetcher
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Oh! Almost forgot. If the timing is TOO RETARDED or TOO ADVNCED there will be overheating. That's why I think this '42 flywheel might be timed too retarded for the later motor.

Joined: Mar 2005
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Just advance the timing and kill the engine. If it doesn't kick back against the starter, repeat the process until it does, then back off the timing until it doesn't kick back. Then drive it and see if the overheating is gone. If that works, check the timing and note the advance for the next time you tune it. I've never heard of an engine overheating due to too much advance. With too much advance you either get predetonation or kicking back against the starter, making starting difficult. Modern fuels also need more advance that the book calls for.

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,068
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,068
You'll have to find true TDC with a cylinder stop to be sure of your advance. I don't think you are overheating because of timing myself, unless you are towing a huge load at slow speeds constantly. I would look at a plugged radiator myself. Just my $.02 worth,
Scott


Scott Ward

2 1948 1.5-ton Loadmasters
The red one and The snow pusher
1 1950 3100
1 1955.1 Chevy 6500
1 1954 Chevy 6500 2-Ton
1 1955 1st Series COE 5700
1 1963 K20 (454)
1 1964 C10 (350)
1 1951 1.5-ton Dump Truck
1953 and a 1956 Ford F800

Raising a teenager is like trying to nail Jello to a tree!

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