starting a motor that's been sitting 3 yrs...??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigvinnie · 03-07-2004, 10:50 PM

Long story short, my grandpa and I were restoring a 64 f#rd F350 flatbed 3 yrs ago when he died... we decided to finish it in his honor, which we did, and it has been sitting on a concrete slab for 3 yrs...

The only mileage on it is the 20 or so miles I put on it driving it back from the upholstery shop... I started it a few times, but it hasn't been started for a couple of years...

Changed the oil and drained the gas tank... it now has fresh fuel in it...

What else should I do before attempting to start it...???

Thanks for any suggestions.

67_SS396 · 03-07-2004, 10:58 PM

I suggest a few drops of oil down each cylinder and turn it over by hand a few rotations. I also highly suggest a bottle of GM's EOS. It's extra insurance and definately does it's job at lubrication. Be sure to change the oil and filter after a few hundred miles. Good luck!

cdowns · 03-07-2004, 10:59 PM

charge the battery

Longhorn Man · 03-07-2004, 10:59 PM

If it is a good engine (like 20 miles on a rebuild) I would pre-lube it and install a fresh battery.
If it is an old junk motor that you don't care about...you already did more than i woulda done.

bigvinnie · 03-07-2004, 11:12 PM

Thanks for the replies...

the motor is/was a fresh rebuilt Y-block 292 V8, so it's really only got +/- 20 miles on it...

I had considered pulling the plugs and squirting some oil in each cylinder, can't hurt I guess... haven't heard of the GM EOS, I'll check into it...

Engine does turn over by hand easily, but doing it a few times with some oil in the cylinders is also a good suggestion...

Any other suggestions welcome and appreciated...

rickn · 03-07-2004, 11:19 PM

im not sure how ford oil pump works , but my 67 i just bought, i took out distributer and turned oil pump with drill and long slotted shaft to build up oil pressure w/o having to turn motor over , worked pretty good

Leinie · 03-07-2004, 11:56 PM

I'd definitely pre lube it by spinning the oil pump with a drill. i'd also clean all the plugs with a little sand paper, change all the fluids brfore firing it up,

*rage'nrat638* · 03-08-2004, 12:02 AM

well if you have already turned it over by hand before putting lube in the cyl's then...it's to late...

the problem would be with sitting.. is rust in the cyl's and the rings breaking hitting the rust....

from what i read you turned it over already.....

just start it....if the rings are cracked....you will know

bigvinnie · 03-08-2004, 12:26 AM

I did turn it over by hand, but just enough to verify that it wasn't seized, so lubing it now would probably not be too late, certainly wouldn't hurt to have some lube at start-up...

good suggestion on using the drill to pre-oil the motor....

71chevylongbed · 03-08-2004, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Leinie
i'd also clean all the plugs with a little sand paper,

i would never clean plugs with sand paper, any grit left on the plugs after cleaning could cause serious engine damage. plugs are cheap if they are dirty go and buy some new ones

jimfulco · 03-08-2004, 03:04 AM

Put a jug of Berryman's Injector Cleaner in the gas tank. It will help dissolve the junk in the carburetor. Wouldn't hurt to get some fresh gas in the fuel lines, either. That old stuff doesn't burn too well, plus it fouls spark plugs, too.

Moloko · 03-08-2004, 11:06 AM

Take the fuel line off the carb and crank the motor over to purge the nasty fuel from the lines before it goes into your motor too.

bigvinnie · 03-08-2004, 01:23 PM

Great suggestions, thanks to all for the help...

*67Fleetsidedream* · 03-08-2004, 01:27 PM

I would crank it keeping an eye on the oil pressure. I did it on my truck before I got it and it still runs today. I rebuilt it about a year after getting it running to get the old gas smell out.

68 Suburban · 03-08-2004, 02:18 PM

I started an old Plymouth 318 that had been sitting for over 18 years (After I drained the gas and changed the oil of course). The thing started and runs like a champ. No smoke, no strange noises......

Jefe · 03-08-2004, 05:01 PM

I usually take off the valve covers and pour marvel mystery oil all over the springs and valves and such and let it sit for awhile. Also take the plugs out and squirt some in the cylinders with oil too. Just a precation, spinning up the oil pump is a great idea too..easy to get to on old y-blocks too.

Douglas.

Trucks · 03-08-2004, 10:04 PM

no one mentioned it, but if you want 'er to pop right away prime the carb with a little gas too. Before you start it look in the air cleaner area for mouse nests as well!

03-07-2004, 10:50 PM	#1
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	starting a motor that's been sitting 3 yrs...??? Long story short, my grandpa and I were restoring a 64 f#rd F350 flatbed 3 yrs ago when he died... we decided to finish it in his honor, which we did, and it has been sitting on a concrete slab for 3 yrs... The only mileage on it is the 20 or so miles I put on it driving it back from the upholstery shop... I started it a few times, but it hasn't been started for a couple of years... Changed the oil and drained the gas tank... it now has fresh fuel in it... What else should I do before attempting to start it...??? Thanks for any suggestions. __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

03-07-2004, 10:58 PM	#2
67_SS396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Blue Ridge, Tx Posts: 1,172	I suggest a few drops of oil down each cylinder and turn it over by hand a few rotations. I also highly suggest a bottle of GM's EOS. It's extra insurance and definately does it's job at lubrication. Be sure to change the oil and filter after a few hundred miles. Good luck! __________________ Fawker Fab three seater rock crawler buggy 498 BBC/SM465/203/205 doubler, propane, 5.13's, 42" PB Rockers '66 C10 - The new hot rod '77 3+3 Dually - 12 valve 4wd conversion tow rig project '28 Ford 2 door sedan street rod RevLimit Offroad "Hang on beer, we can do this."

03-07-2004, 10:59 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	charge the battery __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-07-2004, 11:12 PM	#5
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	Thanks for the replies... the motor is/was a fresh rebuilt Y-block 292 V8, so it's really only got +/- 20 miles on it... I had considered pulling the plugs and squirting some oil in each cylinder, can't hurt I guess... haven't heard of the GM EOS, I'll check into it... Engine does turn over by hand easily, but doing it a few times with some oil in the cylinders is also a good suggestion... Any other suggestions welcome and appreciated... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

03-07-2004, 11:19 PM	#6
rickn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: bedford,in Posts: 63	im not sure how ford oil pump works , but my 67 i just bought, i took out distributer and turned oil pump with drill and long slotted shaft to build up oil pressure w/o having to turn motor over , worked pretty good __________________ http://rick.nicholson.home.insightbb.com

03-07-2004, 10:59 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	If it is a good engine (like 20 miles on a rebuild) I would pre-lube it and install a fresh battery. If it is an old junk motor that you don't care about...you already did more than i woulda done.

03-07-2004, 11:56 PM	#7
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	I'd definitely pre lube it by spinning the oil pump with a drill. i'd also clean all the plugs with a little sand paper, change all the fluids brfore firing it up,

03-08-2004, 12:02 AM	#8
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	well if you have already turned it over by hand before putting lube in the cyl's then...it's to late... the problem would be with sitting.. is rust in the cyl's and the rings breaking hitting the rust.... from what i read you turned it over already..... just start it....if the rings are cracked....you will know

03-08-2004, 12:26 AM	#9
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	I did turn it over by hand, but just enough to verify that it wasn't seized, so lubing it now would probably not be too late, certainly wouldn't hurt to have some lube at start-up... good suggestion on using the drill to pre-oil the motor.... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project Last edited by bigvinnie; 03-08-2004 at 01:08 AM.

03-08-2004, 03:04 AM	#11
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Put a jug of Berryman's Injector Cleaner in the gas tank. It will help dissolve the junk in the carburetor. Wouldn't hurt to get some fresh gas in the fuel lines, either. That old stuff doesn't burn too well, plus it fouls spark plugs, too.

03-08-2004, 11:06 AM	#12
Moloko Hoarding Rusty Objects Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Slatington, PA Posts: 267	Take the fuel line off the carb and crank the motor over to purge the nasty fuel from the lines before it goes into your motor too. __________________ 1985 Chevrolet K20 Silverado 1994 GMC Yukon Follow me on Youtube! - http://www.youtube.com/user/FuelInjectionSucks

03-08-2004, 01:23 PM	#13
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	Great suggestions, thanks to all for the help... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

03-08-2004, 01:27 PM	#14
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	I would crank it keeping an eye on the oil pressure. I did it on my truck before I got it and it still runs today. I rebuilt it about a year after getting it running to get the old gas smell out.

03-08-2004, 02:18 PM	#15
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I started an old Plymouth 318 that had been sitting for over 18 years (After I drained the gas and changed the oil of course). The thing started and runs like a champ. No smoke, no strange noises...... __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

03-08-2004, 05:01 PM	#16
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	I usually take off the valve covers and pour marvel mystery oil all over the springs and valves and such and let it sit for awhile. Also take the plugs out and squirt some in the cylinders with oil too. Just a precation, spinning up the oil pump is a great idea too..easy to get to on old y-blocks too. Douglas. __________________ -1968 Chevy SWB = Frame Off/383/Muncie Car 4 speed -1968 Chevy SWB = numbers matching 307/Truck 4 speed. -1966 Chevy II = 2 door No Post/130,000 Orig miles/230 6cyl/powerglide/Vintage AC -1972 Chevy Nova = 2 door/412 Small Block -1927 Ford Roadster = Homebuilt/widened 8"/350/ Custom Everything.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

03-08-2004, 10:04 PM	#17
Trucks Is that a Chevy 69...? Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brownton MN Posts: 112	ya no one mentioned it, but if you want 'er to pop right away prime the carb with a little gas too. Before you start it look in the air cleaner area for mouse nests as well! __________________ Ahhhh, the wonderful sound of a rumbling V8.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.