motor runs bad please help

[allways]

hi, I pulled a sb 427 with aluminum heads out of my 1955 chev 210 and put it into my 1972 c10 I put in new spark plugs changed distributor and replaced carb base plate gaskets this is a new crate motor with zero miles on it ran like a dream in the 1955 but runs like crap in pickup cant figure out why. other than the things listed above I did put anti seize on the plugs do you think this could be my problem?

[70LonghornCST]

Hello allways and welcome to the board. I moved your thread to the Engine and Drivetrain area so some of our engine experts on the board can give you a hand.

[Rollo McFlurry]

The obvious answer to me is put the old distributor back in and try it. Sometimes a new distributor can have faulty parts. i.e. module, sticky weights, bad pickup.

[imjeff]

I would agree with Rollo. It's almost always what you "fixed". If it ran great before the swap, why did you put the new distributor and gaskets in? A little more history and pics will help. It's a SB 427?

Jeff

[68gmsee]

Just as an fyi; Bad gas can cause the symptoms you describe and can lead you astray in trying to analyze the problem.

Other possibilities; Using the old resistive wiring on an HEI distributer. It needs full 12vdc.
Sparkplug cabling crossed.
Vacuum leaks. I unplug all the vacuum lines -power brake booster, automatic transmission- and plug them up as a test.

If all the above are okay and you're not sure about the fuel in the tank: Buy a 1 gallon can of fresh gas. Place it under the truck under fuel pump. Remove the inlet rubber hose to the fuel pump and replace with app. a 2 ft. fuel hose going into the one gallon container.

[AcampoDave]

Distributor 180 out?

[DBD]

Job one is to check the timing - simple and quick. There may be a lot of things going on, but this is the first thing.

[storm9c1]

I agree with everyone so far. The distributor is what changed between the two swaps, so I would check that first. This includes timing and firing order of the plug wires! Is the new distributor HEI or points? Geezer may be on to something with the wiring depending on what distributor the truck USED to have and which one is on there NOW. If new one is HEI, try running a temporary power wire straight to the distributor from the battery and see if it runs better.

Did you retain the old carb? You mentioned you changed the gaskets? Sure those are sealing?

How long ago did this engine run properly?

[cg285]

Originally Posted by storm9c1

How long ago did this engine run properly?

well, according to the first post it's a new crate motor with zero miles.

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by cg285

well, according to the first post it's a new crate motor with zero miles.

The lines "I pulled a sb 427 with aluminum heads out of my 1955 chev 210" and "it ran like a dream in the 1955" from the first post seem to indicate it's not a zero mile motor.

[cg285]

Originally Posted by imjeff

The lines "I pulled a sb 427 with aluminum heads out of my 1955 chev 210" and "it ran like a dream in the 1955" from the first post seem to indicate it's not a zero mile motor.

correct. he also said "this is a new crate motor with zero miles on it"
just reading what is written

[ERASER5]

So the crate motor was in the 55 but it never go out of the garage. But the engine did run. Now it does not, or at least correctly.

I say dizzy, and firing order are at the top of the list.

[dfrank]

Check distributor and spark plug wiring and also timing.

[cg285]

and i say it can't be diagnosed, only guessed at, without more correct information. "runs like crap" somehow just doesn't get it.

[marvgarr68]

Check the carb gasket. I have had trouble with them before sometimes they are not cut right. Also check the timing.

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by cg285

correct. he also said "this is a new crate motor with zero miles on it"
just reading what is written

I missed how long ago it "ran like a dream.

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by imjeff

I missed how long ago it "ran like a dream.

Me too. And if it never left the garage, I question what "running like a dream" sounds like. So does that mean it started up and idled like a dream once? OK, when was that? I hope it's not a flat tappet cam engine that wasn't broke-in properly...

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by storm9c1

Me too. And if it never left the garage, I question what "running like a dream" sounds like. So does that mean it started up and idled like a dream once? OK, when was that? I hope it's not a flat tappet cam engine that wasn't broke-in properly...

Good point! There are a lot of good places to look. Hopefully the OP will fill in some blanks.

[allways]

sorry been a while hurt my back
think I found problem check ball in carb for power valve stuck when trying to start popped back will see when back is better. Motor was pro built and dyno

[allways]

more info on motor sbc 427 shp block howards roller cam dart pro 1 heads quick fuel mech 750 no acc zero miles broke in by shop and dyno 554 hp 588 torque. pulled dist to put in stock dist not that.started reading on line and found that some time that little ck ball will stick if popes back it was stuck.

[imjeff]

Sbc 427?

[allways]

yes small block 427 ci 4" stroke 6" rods