ClassicCar

doodlebug

I recently bought an old 35 Dodge Coupe, totally stock, trying to get it running, this is my first positive ground electrical system, do i just install the 6 volt battery and reverse the connection? is that all there is to it?

Also I want to time the motor and see if i can get it running, it's the old flathead six 218 cu in engine. from what i understand the timing is set referencing cylinder # six, does that mean the timing mark on the crank pulley will be on the timing mark when cylinder # six is a TDC?

Since cylinder #1 and cylinder #6 are both at TDC does this really matter?

Any of help/advice appreciated.

Roger

doodlebug

Okay, battery's in, the motor turns, got the # 6 on TDC compression, doesn't want to fire, did get it off timing and i know i have spark.

I was told by the person i bought it from that the guy that owned it before him had pulled the cam and replaced it with a hotter one, he seems to think the cam wasn't installed with the timing marks aligned, but it did have compression on the top of the stroke and the timing mark on the pulley was almost right on the pointer.

Guess i have another can of worms on my hands. It was good to know the starter, ignition, and lights work and the engine is free and has compression.

doodlebug

HHHHMMM..... i just thought, i didn't check the wire positions in the dist cap.

Oldcar_Mechanic

Did you check for compression on all cylinders for yourself?

You need Spark, Fuel and compression and for it all to happen at the right time for the engine to run.

This is out of the Motors manual copywrited 1950:

Ignition Timing

Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Plymouth.

1935-50

Crank the engine to bring No.1 piston up on it's compression stroke and stop when the pointer on the timing case cover is in line with the specified mark on the vibration damper. Losen the distributor body clamp and rotate the distributor until the points close. Then turn it in the opposite direction until the points just begin to open and tighten the clamp bolt.

153624

Have you tried a little ether to see if it will fire? (not much mind you)

Keep us posted

Ron

doodlebug

Hey Ron, thanks for the info, i have a maint manual and i can't believe this info isn't in there.

I didn't check for compression on all cylinders, but # 6 has it, i will work off of # 1 cylinder instead of #6, I have some starter spray that I didn't have it with me yesterday. did get it spitting back through the carb so i must have spark, the "finger" compression test i did makes me think the cam may be right, otherwise the compression wouldn't have built up in the cylinder.

Thanks again for the input!

Roger

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