49 Flathead starting problem

[jhazewin]

I have a 1949 flathead 239 that used to run very well. The truck sat for a few years and the engine froze up. After a some Mystery Oil and a lot of patience, I was able to free it up. However after considerable effort I have been unable to bring it back to life. It was converted to 12v.

I installed a new MSD distributor, coil, plugs and wires. The motor spins freely, I have good spark. The carb has been cleaned and a new fuel pump installed.

I have checked the timing with a timing light (while cranking since it does not run) and number #1 fires with the timing mark on the pulley. When that did not work I rotated 180 degrees without success.

There is no "pop", no backfire, nothing other than cranking.

When I pull a plug it is not fouled and I can smell fuel.

Any ideas?

I would love to have this roar back to life.

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by jhazewin

I have a 1949 flathead 239 that used to run very well. The truck sat for a few years and the engine froze up. After a some Mystery Oil and a lot of patience, I was able to free it up. However after considerable effort I have been unable to bring it back to life. It was converted to 12v.

I installed a new MSD distributor, coil, plugs and wires. The motor spins freely, I have good spark. The carb has been cleaned and a new fuel pump installed.

I have checked the timing with a timing light (while cranking since it does not run) and number #1 fires with the timing mark on the pulley. When that did not work I rotated 180 degrees without success.

There is no "pop", no backfire, nothing other than cranking.

When I pull a plug it is not fouled and I can smell fuel.

Any ideas?

I would love to have this roar back to life.

Pull a plug. Position it to a good ground and crank it. See if you have spark. See if the accelerator pump is spraying down the throat. Go from there.

[Bob C]

Did you drain the old gas??


Bob

[flatheadmurre]

Check compression...might be valves stuck.
Or take the plugs out and with a flashlight look at valves while cranking and check if all is moving free and smooth.

[ponymare]

Sounds like it doesn't have much or any compression from cyl's. being washed clean. Pull plugs, then pull the truck around the block in high gear. Put a ts of motor oil in each cyl. replace the plugs and pull I again in high gear, if getting fire it will start.

[Frank Miller]

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I have seen where setting motors with dry cylinders failed to start. A little oil in the spark plug hole to seal the rings did the trick. You may have stuck valves as well. A leakdown test will tell you which ones may not be closing.