The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Lacks Power

I was coming home today with my four dogs and 40 pieces of sod in the bed of my 62, 3/4 ton, long bed, stepside. I was going up a slight grade and could barely keep this truck going 55mph. I began to give it more gas when I realized that IT WAS FLOORED. Either this 235 is a total dog or I have it mistuned. It was rebuilt about 4000 miles ago and has the original 1bbl carb. How can I get more power out of this thing?

Last time this happened to me, my dist. had moved, timing off. Check points, coil etc etc. Also check fuel filter and fuel pump output. Since all this stuff happens to me here's more nosebleed items. Old fuel filter guts came appart clogging carb. Vacuum line came loose causing no power barely ran.
Best of luck!

40 pieces of sod- - - - - How much does that stuff weigh? It's just possible you were at, or over the payload limit, and there's nothing wrong with the performance. It won't hurt to check the timing, fuel filter, etc., though. That kinda reminds me of the trip back from the concrete plant with a bed full of sand and gravel to feed my mixer. That old Ford F-150 wouldn't get over 45 MPH, but the payload was about 2 tons!
Jerry

Thanks for the tips. The sod doesn't weight that much and this truck is a 3/4 ton so I wasn't even close to overloading it. I'm beginning to think, small block V8. I wish I could find a small diesel engine somewhere though.

This truck tries to run. When I floor it I can feel slight bursts of power like it wants to go but then it just flattens out.

I will check it out as soon as soon as the darned weather cools a bit. Record highs here in Texas. That means that there is a record number of people getting high in their homes. :•D

Check timeing first. Than check the power system in the carb. Sounds like maybe you have a restricted exhaust.

Yeah, timing is first. After I got this motor rebuilt I thought that it would run strong. I'm pretty disappointed in the performance of the 235.

My dwell was low, around 14º. After I set that I had to advance the timing quite a bit so I'm hoping that this does the trick. I'm going on a test run today for more sod. lol.... This time though, I'm only taking ONE DOG. Four dogs makes me crazy especially when one is new and doesn't listen. Pudge kept jumping out of the truck, once when I was moving slowly. It seems that he likes kids. He must have had a family in his past.

Anybody need a Terrier / Lab mix? He's cute as can be.

[img]http://www.petfinder.com/fotos/TX212/TX212.3761795-1-pn.jpg[/img]

Sounds like a lot of load for a little 235. How bout a quad turbocharged 502ci big block, or maybe a Falconer V12?

maybe i don't know what to expect but i have a 235 w/dual carbs, dual exhaust, 235/70/15 tires and a 2.73 rearend and mine moves right along with the traffic. plenty of power and no problem on the hills. the most i have hauled at one times was 13 sheets of 1/2 inch drywall and two adults no problem. maybe i don't expect enought i have driven mostly 4cyls but i did have and aurora and now have pt turbo that will get out and go. some thoughts on the subject. RON

at 55mph, load or not, a 3/4T truck w/ stock 5.14 rear gears would have a 235 reved to the limit - no suprise it wouldn't accelerate up a hill w/ a load on 235's are strong motors at mid range rpm, not so great above 3000!

Bill

That was what I was thinking.

From all i've read here on the Stovebolt Page, I wouldnt expect more than 55MPH out of a stock 235 with stock tranny and rear totally empty and going downhill.. let alone UP HILL WITH A LOAD.