The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1953 235 Tune Up.

I found out that I have a 1953 235 engine, so I felt confident to do the needed tune up. I put new plugs gapped at .035" in her. I put a new cap and rotor. I put in a new condensor and points. I gapped the points to .019 (as they are new and the shop manual says .019 new, .016 used). I found the little ball (for the engine timing) and adjusted it do the pointer. I tuned the RPMs to arround 480 to 500 and I set the fuel mixture as best I could. I re-checked the points and they are still at .019 (on the lope). I have a few questions though:

1) I use a meter and checked the dwell and it's a 36.6 is this normal for a L6?? For a V8, I always set the dwell to 30. This is my first time gapping points instead of setting it by the dwell.

2) My manual says to set my octane selector to zero. How do I do that?? I see the ticks next to the distributor, but to time the engine I turn the distributor which changes where the indicator points to on the ticks. My manual says something about a screw to turn to set the octane selector to zero. Where is the screw?

3) Last but not least... I'm assuming once I find the octane selector, that nowadays it's ok to run it at zero, since the fuel it somewhat more predicatable?

I'm working on my 1953 Chevey Coupe, Series 210 Deluxe. Never thought a L6 would be so much fun!!

Thanks!

Dwell is set to 32.

The tick marks you see at the distributor base is the octane selector. There should be a bolt through the plate in a slotted hole which can be loosened to adjust the selector. With today's fuel, it's redundant. To set your timing, set the octane selector to zero. Then, there is a screw located at the base on the back side of the distributor. If everything is in the right place, you can loosen the screw from the aft side. It should be almost up against the block. It's a real pain at times. I replaced the slot head screw with a socket head cap screw, makes it easier for my shakey hands.

Fred... good idea about the socket head cap screw... thanks

Boswell

Should the dwell show 36.6? Or should it be lower??

Thanks!!

New points .020 to .021, used .019. When you change setting the dewll will increase where it should be.

Timing: disconnect vac at carb and plug carb.
loosen bolt on back side of dist and set octane selector to (0) then retighten bolt. Loosen screw on front side of dist - that will then allow you to adjust timing. When you have the timing where you want it. Retighten the screw holding the dist. Shut off engine. Finally reset the octane selector to where it was if you remember(loosen bolt and turn dist). Set to somewhere 6-8 degrees. Each mark is 2 degrees- tighten bolt again ,you are done. The old books said to set octane selector to (0) before timing. They never told you to re set octane selector to where it was. The octane selector adds more vac advance.
Tim

Thanks everyone!! I now know what to do. I kept adjusting the timing with the octane selector instead of the screw. I will redo it tonight.

So the dwell showing arround 36.6 is fine? I'm not used to setting points by the gap.

Thanks again everyone, you've been most helpfull!!

If it starts good - then you have the points right and timing set correctly engine will start 1/2 turn.
Tim