261 engine won't run

Bjanuszewski · Newbie

261 engine won't run

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I've had that happen to me when I had a 54 Chevy with a 235. Turned out there was sediment in the fuel bowl of the carb causing grief. I rebuilt the carb and never had a problem. Going up and down hills probably moved a piece of sediment.

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

How about the ballast resistor ? They can do strange things.

pontiax · Poncho Master!

Replace your points and condenser, the condenser is often overlooked but time and heat make them do quirky things"like not allowing the coil to charge".

davelacourse · Poncho Master!

My money is on the fuel system. Eventually I had to pull the fuel tank to flush out 20 years of accumulated crud (and I had it boiled and coated at the radiator shop), new pickup since the old sock was clogged so badly too, blow out the fuel line, new fuel pump, and rebuild the carburetor. Then the old 261 ran great. Before then, lots of problems, not unlike yours.

Oh -- welcome! We like photos, show your 58!

Dave

-- Edited by davelacourse on Sunday 24th of July 2011 07:06:37 AM

Taylor55 · Poncho Master!

I will agree with Dave and add if you have already replaced your fuel tank pickup and sending assembly with a new one with a new sock the sock is disintigrating from the new gasoline. The new sock will plug the fuel line intemitantly and may be the cause of the problem. Disconnect the fuel line at the carb and blow air back in the fuel line to the gas tank. If it starts and runs after this procedure you will have to drop the gas tank and have it cleaned and coated. Remove the sock and install a clear inline gas filter on the fuel line so you can actually see the fuel and you can check for dirt.

Al

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

Above ideas if fuel system problem plus bad pump or lobe possible, even sucking air w/ holes in fuel supply lines?.
Confirm ignition components good then bypass fuel system w/ remote fuel supply directly to carb, supply is constant w/ container elevated higher than carb..
Line is disconnected between f'pump and carb so put a dead antifrz jug or something @ f'pump exit line to catch gas pumped w/ engine cranking/running...
If good now, move backwards to isolate where problem beings or if still no go look more closely at carb again, intake leaks etc..

~ :smile

Bjanuszewski · Newbie

I rebuilt the carb and replaced almost (note almost) the entire ignition system. I had a great spark coming out of the coil when I manually manipulated the points (almost stopped my heart). I double and triple checked everything. I didn't replace the condensor as I had such a good spark. At my wits end, I found an old condensor laying around, installed it and it ran fine. Lesson learned, don't look for the complicated when you have overlooked the simple. Thanks all for your comments, greatly appreciated. Bill

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

Glad to see it solved. Good call Pete (pontiax).

davelacourse · Poncho Master!

Beaumont4008 wrote:
Glad to see it solved. Good call Pete (pontiax).

X2

Keep the fuel tank/pickup in mind for possible stalling out problems down the road, and I forgot to mention what Al (Taylor55) said but add that too if you have to pull the tank and/or pickup.

Dave