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Chevy Belair Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1956 Chevy Belair mileage 51,000. I got a '56 Belair to restore but the engine hasn't ran for a long time and is frozen. The starter will kick in but it just spins and the engine won't kick over. Is there anything I can do to try to undo it or do I have to take it out and rebuild it or get a new one?

Answer: If the starter spins and the engine is not turning over, the starter is not engaging the flywheel.  You may have a faulty starter.  Try removing all the spark plugs and spraying in a light oil like WD-40.  Try putting a wrench on the crank pulley and turn it over by hand.  If the engine has not been run for years, you may have to have it rebuilt.  If the engine is the original one, think twice before replacing it with a different one.

Question: 1955 Chevy Belair Mileage 85,000  I have a '56 Belair with a two-barrel Carburetor. While driving at approximately 40-55 MPH engine suddenly loses power (no sounds/as if stalled). As the speed falls below 40, the engine kicks back on. This repeats if trying to accelerate again. I have replaced the fuel pump, rebuilt the carburetor, and changed the distributor and coil. While "power-braking" the engine, the fuel enters the carburetor for about one minute then the engine dies. It acts as if it is starving for fuel. Could a hose collapse from the fuel tank cause this condition? If not, what could?

Answer: Check for fuel in the carburetor when the engine dies after power braking to isolate the problem to the fuel system. Some possible causes include: 1. Cracked fuel hoses at the tank of pump, 2. Partially plugged fuel pick-up filter in the gas tank, 3. Incorrect gas tank cap causing a vacuum in tank, 4. Alternator diode failure allowing AC voltage to ignition coil 5. Faulty ignition module in Distributor.

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