I am trying to find a mechanic to help with a 53 ford Flathead in a C-600 truck. Just put a new edelbrock 94 carb and MSD Distributor. I can't get it to fire and run. this was a working truck and I am short on time te get it running. I live in the SFV CA area. If you know a mechanic please contact me. Ron
Glad to hear that you got the MSD. Can you give us more details? I read your other thread about the carb, but what else can you tells us? 6v positive ground? What exactly is the engine doing when you try to start it? How far have you advanced the timing? Did you install the gear specifically for flatheads?
12v conversion with a rebel wire setup. MSD dizzy for flathead with supplied gear. Edelbrock 94 carb. Distributor set up for mechanical advance. Motor and dizzy spins but the engine does not fire. I will check for spark this morning.
timing has to be good. with my electronic ignition, it wouldn't fire when i lined up the timing marks. i could have sworn it was #1 TDC on the power stroke. it wouldn't cough, backfire, or anything... since the timing marks line up 180 degrees, i rotated it and lined up the marks again. the car fired and ran. hopefully it's as simple as that.
Update. Checked my ground to the dizzy all is good. Tested for spark on #5 plug by pulling it and laying on head. I will have to check gas next. Crfyou I will try it 180 out and see what happens. Can't loose.
The original 4 (?) degrees advance is no where's near enough. If I remember correctly, mine is set closer to 33 (8 degrees initial, 25 centrifugal).
Honestly don't remember, I just used a timing light. Also, something easy to mix up (and double check) is firing order. Take a look at this page for reference: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_tuneup49-53_239-255.htm The flathead firing order is not conventional!
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