Timing problem (?) on '56 272
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Timing problem (?) on '56 272
Here's the problem:
If I set the correct timing on the gennie 272 y-block in my 56 effie, I have a helluva time getting it to start. I have to spin the engine for several minutes -- even cold start fluid doesn't help. Once it's up and running, it works fine.
Now, if I advance the timing enough, the engine fires right up very easily, but then it spark knocks like crazy once I drive it.
I haven't spent a lot of time on diagnostics -- thought I'd pose the question here and see if anyone else had encountered this problem before.
BTW, electrical system is all up to snuff: distributor & internals, wires, plugs, battery, etc.
I was thinking about upgrading the distributor to see if that would help.
Rick
If I set the correct timing on the gennie 272 y-block in my 56 effie, I have a helluva time getting it to start. I have to spin the engine for several minutes -- even cold start fluid doesn't help. Once it's up and running, it works fine.
Now, if I advance the timing enough, the engine fires right up very easily, but then it spark knocks like crazy once I drive it.
I haven't spent a lot of time on diagnostics -- thought I'd pose the question here and see if anyone else had encountered this problem before.
BTW, electrical system is all up to snuff: distributor & internals, wires, plugs, battery, etc.
I was thinking about upgrading the distributor to see if that would help.
Rick
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
I suspect the spark arrestor in the carb base is carboned up. It could also be a blockage in the venturi vacuum port or a bad diaphram in the dizzie.
Have you used a timing light and vacuum gauge yet?
Have you used a timing light and vacuum gauge yet?
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The diaphram at the dizzie might well be the problem. I hadn't checked it.
I have a new carb, and a false reading isn't the problem. It's just that if I set the timing so the truck will start, I get a lot of engine knock. If I adjust it to get rid of the engine knock, it's almost impossible to start.
I have a new carb, and a false reading isn't the problem. It's just that if I set the timing so the truck will start, I get a lot of engine knock. If I adjust it to get rid of the engine knock, it's almost impossible to start.
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To answer questions:
The carb is a modern Edelbrock 4V on a T-bird intake.
As for the timing chain, I was thinking that might be the culprit, too. I'll check a few things this weekend and post what I find.
Rick
The carb is a modern Edelbrock 4V on a T-bird intake.
As for the timing chain, I was thinking that might be the culprit, too. I'll check a few things this weekend and post what I find.
Rick
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Maryland
I am running the same set up on my truck. When I switched to a modern carb. I needed to change to a modern distributor for the timming advance to work correctly. I don't know if that is your problem or not. But for around $60 from the auto parts you get a modern centrifugal advance distributor. That will give you more power than the 56 and back loadomatic distributor. Now I do not know if this is your problem you may get the old setup to work have you tryed the 2 different ported vacuum ports on your edelbrock hooked to your distributor?
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Joyce, WA
You know it sounds like a vacumn problem to me. The vacumn advance isn't working for some reason. I have always heard about engines jumping time, but I have never seen it. Check all externals first.
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