[FWDLK] Update Info-won't run

[David Homstad <Dhomstad@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe,

My rule of thumb is that if the engine has fuel and spark it should run. If
it doesn't run good, then one of these is off. When you get it started, test
the following:

1. Ignition spark advance for full travel, both mechanical and vacuum. I had
a 383 with a stuck mechanical advance once. It would roar like crazy, but
couldn't go over 30 MPH. Also timing at idle.
2. Fuel pressure. If the fuel pump is weak or restricted, there may not be
enough fuel delivered for higher than idle demands.
3. Ignition coil. A 45 year old coil that had a barely good enough spark to
begin with may not have a big enough spark for higher engine loads today.
Make sure the plug wires have the proper firing order sequence. Try a known
good coil, like the one off your engine that died.
4. Harmonic balancer. Sometimes when these get old, they slip on the rubber
bond between the hub and outer ring. The outer ring usually carries the
timing mark for the crankshaft. If it slips, the timing mark will be way
off, and when timed with a light, the ignition timing will be way off. When
the #1 piston is at top dead center, the timing mark should be at 0 degrees
on the pointer.
5. Just because somebody rebuilt the carb and distributor and replaced the
cam, it doesn't mean they did it correctly. The cam may have been installed
off a tooth.
6. I would rule out a vacuum leak or burnt valves. These may have
significant effects on idle quality, but not major effects at higher rpm.

Good luck,

Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500

-----Original Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
[mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of joe frega
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2001 2:02 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] Update Info

Hello everyone,

I hope the weather allows for a fun Memorial Day ride.
Probably many of you are in parades and other events
this weekend with your cars.  Happy motoring!!!

Well, an update on our engine problem. I spoke with
the last owner of our second 56 Belvedere.  The car
was a one family car with 56,000 when it started
having problems.  Wouldn't run well and lost power.
Son-in-law (mechanic) worked a lot on it.  New cam
shaft, valve springs, rebuilt carb and distributor,
plug wires, etc.  Couldn't get it to pull it's weight.
 Idled rough too.  Something wrong they couldn't
identify.  He thought it might be in the trans or the
tourque converter since it would run (although rough)
in nuetral but as soon as you put it in gear, it would
bog down. (the mechanics disagreed) He could get it to
go on the flat road, but it wouldn't pull up hill.
Anyway, he just couldn't afford to do anything else
with it so it sat for 9 months before we picked it up
in Texas and brought it to Illinois.

I went back yesterday (after one week of sitting with
WD40 in the cylinders) and low and behold...it turned
over!!!

Since it is not frozen, I'm thinking about trying to
get it to run.  If I'm successful, I'll probably have
the same problem the last owner had.  No power, runs
rough.

I have several offers of engines from list members
which I am still considering, but if I can get our
other one working, that would save me quite a bit (I
think).

Any thoughts??  Does the problem with the other engine
sound like something anyone recognizes? Am I barking
up the wrong tree?

Thanks again and sorry for being so long winded.

Joe and Jason

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