Fired the 283 in my '53 5 window!

[xaircav]

Got the re- built 283 that i put into my '53 five window started. Right now I'm going through all the new engine birthing pains, adjustments and tuning.
I wanted an old school look under the hood so I'm using the small Rochester 4CG carb, black cap points distributor and Chevy orange paint scheme. I've got good oil pressure and no engine oil or coolant leaks but low vacuum (11 in.)
Sounds great through dual exhaust with turbo mufflers. Pictures to follow.

[solidaxel]

Try and advance the distributor with a vacuum gauge connected to ported vacuum and see if you can increase the vacuum.

[xaircav]

Tried that and 11 in. is the highest I can get. I'm going to go through the carb again. I think I have a vacuum leak in it somewhere. Did the post break-in oil change and there wasn't a speck of metal in the old oil. Can't get the SM465 to go into reverse either. I just love this de-bugging process.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by xaircav

Can't get the SM465 to go into reverse either.

Are you saying that it grinds when you try, or that you can't get into reverse even when the engine isnt running?

Ray

[cajundragger]

to check for vacuum leaks you can try to coke the carb manually with your hand or something else suitable and what the vacuum gauge or mist carb cleaner all around the intake and see if the engine revs.

good luck man, took me a year to fully debug my truck and Im still having issues here and there.

[C-10 simplex]

The other thing is that, being in Denver, that's pretty high up altitude-wise, so the engine will produce lower hg's?

But you probably already knew that?

[xaircav]

Thank you all for your support and suggestions:
Even at Denver's altitude 11 in. of vacuum is low. I've seen high mileage small blocks pull 15. As for the transmission there is no grinding, it just won't drop down into reverse. It goes into all four forward gears just fine. Trans is a '72 SM 465. I'm going to pull the stick again and replace the roll pin that holds the tang to the stick. Seems to be pretty sloppy. I'm going to try the carb cleaner trick to chase the vacuum leak. Pics to follow some day. Bill

[raycow]

Originally Posted by xaircav

As for the transmission there is no grinding, it just won't drop down into reverse. It goes into all four forward gears just fine. Trans is a '72 SM 465. I'm going to pull the stick again and replace the roll pin that holds the tang to the stick. Seems to be pretty sloppy.

It sounds like the bottom end of the stick may not be engaging the reverse shift fork properly or that the fork may have come loose from the shaft. You might need to pull the cover so you can see what's happening inside. Diagram and instructions here:
http://www.kinzers.com/don/landcruiser/transmissions/

Ray

[xaircav]

UPDATE! Had the wrong carb base gasket on and had a huge vacuum leak under the carb. With correct gasket and some tuning with the vacuum gauge I'm pulling 15 inches with an idle so smooth you could put a glass of water on the intake and not spill a drop. Pulled the shifter out of the SM465 then punched out the roll pin that held the tang to the stick and found that the two plastic sleeves on the tang had disintegrated. I'll update when fixed.

[xaircav]

Got the SM 465 into reverse! While waiting for the correct back up light switch I had installed a flush fitting pipe plug into the hole to keep dirt out. Evidently the pipe plug was keeping the reverse rail from sliding. Once I took it out and put the back up light switch with its spring loaded ball it dropped right into reverse.
Got the shifter fixed and it runs, steers and stops (11" disc brakes) great.
In the process of wiring the lights now. Have taken it around the block a few times with 1953 license plates but haven't been caught yet.

'53 5 window with '62 283, '76 Camaro 10 bolt, '72 SM 465 trans.
Father of Powell72

[Indian113]

It won't be long till your on the Road!! Keep chasing those gremlins

[mr48chev]

it's good to see that you are getting it sorted out and will soon be wheeling down the road in it without having to sneak around the block. I'll have to admit that that first sneak around the block is special moment in a rebuild though.