The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Transplant 235 will not start. Ideas?

Flumoxed.

We transplanted a running 235 from a 'Burb into our '51 GMC project, and now we can't get it to start.

All engine accessories were removed when lifting, and I suspect that's the root of the problem. But it appears that distributor, carb, etc are all installed correctly.

The engine turns over well, and sometimes when adjusting the timing seems to want to start, but does not. Occassional backfire.

New quality battery cables. Ground strap hooked up.

Yesterday a buddy and I replaced the coil, regapped the points, checked the firing order and timing, and confirmed spark.

We did not replace the ignition resistor, but when installed or not there was no difference.

Still, no fire. We are still just pouring a little gas into the carb to start her.

Stumped! Thanks for any ideas. Dickson

Did you rotate the engine after the distributor was removed?

Did you rotate the shaft in the distributor while it was out?

Hy Dickson, it sounds to me like the timing is out, tcledermans questions are good ones. I would verify the timing of number one cylinder with the finger over the spark plug hole method. Two other questions, how long has it been since this engine ran, and how long before that did it have a tune-up? I have seen many "running" engines swapped that would not start when they were installed in their "new" vehicle, many of those engines needed new spark plugs. When the distributor was re-installed did it go all the way in to engage the oil pump drive? A bad condensor can cause all kinds of ignition problems, maybe a full tune-up is in order, hope that helps.

it ran like five weeks ago when we pulled it out of my ride. it ran great, it might have gotten turned ,has new condenser not touching wall, new points, old ballest,

I just dropped the distributer back in after we set the motor in, and then assumed that when the ball and pointer matched ,and the roter was pointing to the #1 spark plug I was at top dead,

You may have dropped it in 180* out.

Tim

I agree with Tim. Set the engine at TDC and redo your timing....

It's an Omen! That GMC is rejecting the shorter chevy motor. Put a long motor back in there!

All kidding aside it really sounds like a timing issue. Loosen the distributor and turn it both clockwise and counter clockwise till you find a sweet spot for it to start.

it was 180 off!

That's an honest mistake,happens a lot.
Drew,are you helping Dickson ?


Tim

It seems like it happens to me every time I install a distributor.
One time recently, I thought to myself "I always get this backwards, maybe I should swap it 180 now, and avoid the problem"

Yeah, you guessed right. It was still 180 out.

regards,
Leon

yeah dickson and I transplanted my engine into his truck but its one day a week, at a time, ( we only get to wrench together on sundays)

We pulled the 235 running out of my burb and dropped it in his 51
I guess the dizzy was off 180'. I messed with it a week ago for like six hours wondering why it wouldn't fire, i kept adjusting points, then we got a new set, and I adjusted those the rest of the day.lol

Actually, Drew is helping me. I bought his engine & help in the transplant.

Lacking any other ideas, we pulled the distributor and rotated it 180. I figured it was easy enough to reverse if it did not work.

And she fired!

The GMC truck is indeed rejecting the 235, as the starter did not fully retract from the flywheel. Thus, when the engine ran through all the gas we'd put in the carb it messed up the starter. Easy enough to get another....

Thanks for the help guys! Dickson

get some of that anti-rejection stuff they use when they transplant kidneys, and put it in the oil. Quick!!!