Getting her running - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andyboy · 04-17-2011, 10:33 PM

Hey guys I picked up my 62 gmc truck and want to try to get her running but it sat for around 5-7 years but running when parked. My question is what are the procedures for a 305 v6 engine or any engine? (oil change, spark plugs and wires ) I've heard someone say prime the engine, what is that and how do you do that? Don't want to mess anything up. Any info would be great. Thanks.

ChevyTruckGuy · 04-17-2011, 11:28 PM

Im in the same boat as my 66 (350 COMBO) has been sitting since 2004. It was running but needs a head gasket replaced.

Subscribed

I believe a oil an chang is needed, radiator flush?? Fuel system flush???

I dont know what a prime is.

Rich 5150 69 · 04-17-2011, 11:31 PM

Pull all the plugs, squirt oil into the cylinders, crank engine over several times noting oil pressure, ensure you have oil pressure, replace plugs and start engine assumming there is gas to the carb.

Andyboy · 04-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Is there a way to know or check if you have oil pressure without a gauge?

Andyboy · 07-06-2011, 06:45 PM

Well got her running. Wouldn't start the first time I tried. Dumb me didn't notice that the wire from the condenser was removed. Put a new one and fired up. Still need to give her a tune-up, sounds like the lifters need to be adjusted. Then the brakes. Little by little not working right now so $ is hard to come by.

Rich 5150 69 · 07-06-2011, 06:58 PM

I`m only guessing at this point that the lifters maybe just a litle gummed up from sitting, run it for a while first, have you changed the oil in it yet...

markeb01 · 07-06-2011, 08:46 PM

Changing the oil is probably most important because old oil can become acidic, and starting the engine with it may not protect the bearing surfaces. Connecting to a different source of fuel (like from a separate can) will help avoid contamination to the fuel pump and carburetor since the stuff in the tank and lines has likely turned to a gummy varnish. The fuel tank should be drained and inspected for rust and/or crud.

New spark plugs are always a good idea along with a rotor, cap (and points - if the engine uses them). Priming the engine in my experience means pulling the distributor and using either a junk distributor or an oil pump primer like shown below to spin the oil pump with the engine off. This prelubricates everything before turning over or firing the engine:

http://www.powerhouseproducts.com/ph...h-bushing.html

If the engine has hydraulic lifters and only one or two are noisy, an old trick I’ve seen used to quiet them was to remove the valve cover, and using an old style oil squirt can filled with lacquer thinner – shoot small amounts of the lacquer thinner down the push rod with the engine at idle. If the lifter is gummy, the lacquer thinner will free it up and evaporate completely, returning the lifter to normal operation.

04-17-2011, 10:33 PM	#1
Andyboy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 376	Getting her running Hey guys I picked up my 62 gmc truck and want to try to get her running but it sat for around 5-7 years but running when parked. My question is what are the procedures for a 305 v6 engine or any engine? (oil change, spark plugs and wires ) I've heard someone say prime the engine, what is that and how do you do that? Don't want to mess anything up. Any info would be great. Thanks.

04-17-2011, 11:28 PM	#2
ChevyTruckGuy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hesperia, Ca ( Southern California ) Posts: 184	Re: Getting her running Im in the same boat as my 66 (350 COMBO) has been sitting since 2004. It was running but needs a head gasket replaced. Subscribed I believe a oil an chang is needed, radiator flush?? Fuel system flush??? I dont know what a prime is. __________________ 1966 Chevy C 20 Lwb (Now a project)5.7 400hp 1996 Chevy Silverado Reg Cab Lwb (Daily Driver) 5.7 2000 Chevy S-10 Ex Cab Lowered 4/4 4.3 (For Fun) 2008 GMC Sierra Ex Cab 5.3 (once a month driver) Wife's 74 Ranchero 500 351 Cleveland (One Owner) My name is Mike and im in So. Cal (Hi Desert) Last edited by ChevyTruckGuy; 04-17-2011 at 11:35 PM.

04-17-2011, 11:31 PM	#3
Rich 5150 69 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Galt, Calif Posts: 2,437	Re: Getting her running Pull all the plugs, squirt oil into the cylinders, crank engine over several times noting oil pressure, ensure you have oil pressure, replace plugs and start engine assumming there is gas to the carb. __________________ `64 C10 vortec 350/350/373 posi `69 RS/SS 350/350/308 `37 Ford 406/350/324 traclock `68 Dart 370/904/323 suregrip

04-23-2011, 05:34 PM	#4
Andyboy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 376	Re: Getting her running Is there a way to know or check if you have oil pressure without a gauge?

07-06-2011, 06:45 PM	#5
Andyboy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 376	Re: Getting her running Well got her running. Wouldn't start the first time I tried. Dumb me didn't notice that the wire from the condenser was removed. Put a new one and fired up. Still need to give her a tune-up, sounds like the lifters need to be adjusted. Then the brakes. Little by little not working right now so $ is hard to come by.

07-06-2011, 06:58 PM	#6
Rich 5150 69 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Galt, Calif Posts: 2,437	Re: Getting her running I`m only guessing at this point that the lifters maybe just a litle gummed up from sitting, run it for a while first, have you changed the oil in it yet... __________________ `64 C10 vortec 350/350/373 posi `69 RS/SS 350/350/308 `37 Ford 406/350/324 traclock `68 Dart 370/904/323 suregrip

07-06-2011, 08:46 PM	#7
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Getting her running Changing the oil is probably most important because old oil can become acidic, and starting the engine with it may not protect the bearing surfaces. Connecting to a different source of fuel (like from a separate can) will help avoid contamination to the fuel pump and carburetor since the stuff in the tank and lines has likely turned to a gummy varnish. The fuel tank should be drained and inspected for rust and/or crud. New spark plugs are always a good idea along with a rotor, cap (and points - if the engine uses them). Priming the engine in my experience means pulling the distributor and using either a junk distributor or an oil pump primer like shown below to spin the oil pump with the engine off. This prelubricates everything before turning over or firing the engine: http://www.powerhouseproducts.com/ph...h-bushing.html If the engine has hydraulic lifters and only one or two are noisy, an old trick I’ve seen used to quiet them was to remove the valve cover, and using an old style oil squirt can filled with lacquer thinner – shoot small amounts of the lacquer thinner down the push rod with the engine at idle. If the lifter is gummy, the lacquer thinner will free it up and evaporate completely, returning the lifter to normal operation.



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