I’ve got a 216 flywheel on my 235 that I’ve just installed, I decided to use the the 216 flywheel so I could continue to use the new starter from the my previous 216. I’m having a hard time setting the timing. Not using the original flywheel makes me wonder if the timing marks are not the same between the two. Have any of you guys ever used a 216 flywheel on a 235? If anyone has any advice I appreciate it, Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Crank it up 'til it spark knocks, back it off until it just goes away. The ball & stamped info are within a couple degrees on all the 216 - 235 - 261 Chevs.
Still no luck. turning the distributor either way does very little, can’t even get the engine to run at all without full choke. I’ve searched for any type of intake or any other vacuum leak with no results. Is it even possible that I put the flywheel on wrong? I was under the impression that couldn’t happen due to the spacing of the studs. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Is this an engine you rebuilt recently and are trying to fire for the first time, or something that was running before you swapped the flywheel and you are just not able to get it to run now?
Rebuilt engine first start up was pretty good, was able to run 20 minutes with no problems Now the only way I can get it to run is with the choke on, just stalls right out with choke off, I know the carburetor did work good because it was working fine on another engine a week ago. I am using the engines fuel pump that was on it when I got it, perhaps some crud inside that fuel pump has made its way to my carburetor?? Thank you for the reply Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I’ve thought of that, Right now I have it to #1 after rolling the engine over till I feel compression on my finger while holding it over the first spark plug hole than line up the BB on the flywheel to the pointer on the bell housing, Thank you for the reply Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
If it ran "pretty good" on initial start up, and you haven't made any major changes, I would suspect fuel issues if you are having to choke it.
Have you had any sort of backfires at all? Does the engine turn over smoothly when trying to crank it, or is it erratic sounding? Like it is trying to come up on a compression stroke with no where for the compression to go?
Definitely had a couple backfires Some spitting of gas out of the top of the carburetor as it stalls, It does seem to turn over smoothly when cranking or when turned over by hand. Thank you for the response! This is really got me stumped!! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I would clean the points, and regap them, and then I would run a temporary wire from the positive terminal of the battery to the coil. That eliminates any sort of electrical problem. Both can be done quickly and easily. If you have a small tank you can suspend above the carb, you can make sure you have fuel delivery. Basically put the engine on life support and go from there.
I also run a 216 flywheel on my 53 Chevy pick up with 235. I know it’s silly, but double check firing order and trace wires. I thought I would never make that mistake and did it TWICE! Good luck.
Backfires point to timing. I'd start with static timing the distributor at 8-10 degrees advanced and triple check plug wires like fiftee3 mentioned.
If it runs with full choke, it's getting air elsewhere. Tighten up all the manifold and carb bolts. .bjb