The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 has me stumped starting problems, help

I have a 235 with a 3 speed that came with the 55 3100 pick up I have been working on. I installed a new feul pump,feul lines, plug wires. The engine is firing the feul pump is pumping fuel to the carb. But the darn thing won't run. A few months ago we had it running by pouring gas into the carb and the motor ran great. I took the top off the carb and checked the floats plenty of gas in the carb's bowl. One thing I need to mention is that the carb is off a 60 235 engine. The engine almost started a time or two but the starter would disengage right when the motor would almost fire off. Any pointers would be a big help, thanks

Hy tracern1, have you checked the timing, and the points? If those are okay then I would do a compression check, you may have some sluggish valves. How old are the spark plugs, many an engine that was running when parked will not start without the spark plugs being replaced, good luck.

First off you need a new drive on the end of the starter. The over running clutch is letting go too soon. Next look down the carb throat & work the throttle. It should squirt a little gas in the throat each time you work it. If not & there is gas in the carb bowl then you have a bad accel pump in the carb. Like 3B say's make shure you have good spark.

If its been sitting, you might want to pull the intake manifold and look for wasps/rats nests, etc. I AM the voice of experience!
Just my $.02!

best wishes,

Les

Did the fuel tank get cleaned? How about making sure the valves are adjusted and not sticking. Just a couple thoughts.

Thanks for all the help so far. The motor is getting plenty of spark to the plugs and feul to the carb. The carb is getting feul and I took the top of the carb off to check the floats and they look fine. I have a new battery but the motor still seems to turn over kinda slow. I have been using a jump box to help the battery. I'm thinking it maybe the plugs causing the trouble. The last time I heard truck running back in late June the fella I bought it from was pouring gas down the carb to keep it running. After a few minutes the feul pump picked up and then there was a bad smell, the old gas was going into the carb so we shut it down. The old gas may have fouled the plugs, I also took the distribitor cap off and checked for spark and there was very good spark.

Two things come to mind. One old gas is still in the system, and two the accelerator pump. You took the top off the carb, but did you work the throttle? Is gas shooting in to the venturi?

Sounds like a carb rebuild and fuel flush is in order. Then change out the plugs before trying again. Just because there is fuel in the bowl, doesn't mean its getting in to the engine.

Just to check, fill a spray bottle with new gas and as someone cranks the engine, start spraying fuel down the carb. It does the same as pouring only less likely to flood it. If you can get it to hit and run a little, then the carb is the problem.

With the carb off the engine for a day or two, get the shop vac out and some coat hanger wire. Start shoving the wire down the intake while the vac is running just to be sure the runners are open. Mud dobbers are good about filling in stuff!

Check the timing while the engine is off. Rotate to compression stroke at number one cylinder and set the timing mark where it needs to be. Then with the key on and a loose spare spark plug in number 1 wire, rotate the distributor till you see the plug fire. You may have to twist it a few times till you are sure it fires and you get the location right. Lock it down and you should really close, at least close enough to start if everything else is right.

Joe

I have found the problems thanks to all the help from the folks here. The starter is kciking out to soon so starter rebuild time. And I took Joe H's advice and used a spray bottle to shoot gas down the carb. The motor almost started about 5 times but the starter would disengage. I guess the starter had been turned over so many times and it's age it has finally wore out. I picked up the right carb for the motor from a fella here on the forum. I will rebuild it also and get the motor running. The truck has been driving me crazy. But I guess that's all part of it. I will do a update to the thread when I get the truck running. And thanks again for all the advice an tips, great forum.

Effective troubleshooting can be simple and rewarding if you stay on track and don't jump around from system to system.
Start with a simple system like fuel delivery, from the tank to the intake manifold, fresh fuel is needed and can be visually verified.
Then move to another system and follow that system from start to finish, don't assume, and don't wander from system to system. check it and rule it out as the culprit before jumping to another conclusion.
Air/Fuel/Ignition/Timing = combustion

Put in a rebuilt starter and the truck started but ran rough and needed help at the carb to keep it running. So I rebuilt the model b 1 barrel carb and the engine is running real good now. I was surprised by how well the engine runs. Thanks for all the help