The Old 44 has me puzzled. She chuggs and ALMOST starts, but doesn't. Here are the clues:
1944 truck. Yes, they did make a few rationed rigs during the war. This is one of those rare beasts. It puttered to a halt around 1970 and has been sitting ever since.
Older rebuilt flathead with "Nubuilt" tag. 251 bored 40 over. Compression is mediocre, but not terrible. 70's, 80's, 95 cold dry. With a teaspoon (ok, maybe a quarter-cup) of ATF they have all been over 110. I think the motor just needs to run a bit to reseal the rings. Last year I got it started and idled very smooth and slow but couldn't rev AT ALL without dying. I figured it was the carb. Took apart, cleaned, reassembled. Accel pump now functions with a good squirt. maybe too good. Could be flooding. To eliminate that option I unhooked the fuel to carb and manually squirt in a bit before attempting to start. Most rigs will fire up and run for 30 sec then die using this technique. This one half-fires, but can't quite get going. wer, wer, chu chu chu, wer wer chu chupity chu etc.. no backfiring.
Here is the actual problem I am seeing. I have spark, but even if I rotate the distributor as far as the bolt will allow it is still 5 deg AFTER TDC. Could this be caused by a stretched timing chain? Anyone see this before? Should I egg out the adjustment plate for a bit more advance? Should it still run at 5 after or is this too much for a tired motor with compression and fuel also out of whack? I was going to shoot for TDC spark just to get it going.
I don't care about power, just getting it to start would be very nice.
Also, I am using the Champion J11c plugs. I notice in the glove compartment they had K12Y. The tip protrudes a lot more which means they are a bit hotter. correct? Can hotter plugs help fire a tired engine? I am not pulling long hills, just want to putter over to the neighbors for a load of compost.
Thanks for any suggestions.
ps. Here is the truck...