The Ford Barn

steve40490 · 08-21-2019, 09:50 AM

I bought a 50 custon that the engine has not been started in five years. What should I do before cranking this engine ?

4dFord/SC · 08-21-2019, 10:06 AM

Make sure it's got gas, oil, and a charged battery, hit the switch, and see what happens. The results will determine subsequent actions.

marko39 · 08-21-2019, 10:27 AM

I would not use gas from the tank until you get all the old stuff out. Then use non ethonal if you can get it. Warm it up good and change the oil.

19Fordy · 08-21-2019, 10:29 AM

Double check and make sure there is oil in the engine.

Remove the plugs and squirt some oil inside the cylinders before cranking the engine.

Some may disagree, but, I would add a squirt of starting fluid down the carb. before cranking.

tubman · 08-21-2019, 11:09 AM

Actually, for a car that has been sitting that long, I would try a breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley first to see if it is "stuck". Hitting it with the starter right away may break something. Even worse, if it actually started and there were some stuck valves, something might also break. After you find out if it is "stuck" or not, you several ways to go. All of them involve removing the spark plugs and introducing a solvent/lubricant into the cylnders.

flatford8 · 08-22-2019, 06:09 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If it does turn, have plenty of penetrant/ lube in the spark plug holes that has been mentioned. Make sure your getting compression on all cylinders to be sure of no stuck valves. If you get to the point of cranking with the starter, do it with the plugs out and a mechanical oil pressure gauge hooked up to be sure your getting oil pressure before starting. We like pictures!!!!....Mark

5851a · 08-22-2019, 11:38 AM

Some oil in cylinders first, crank by hand. I wouldn't think a little 2 cycle mix in the gas would hurt for extra lube. Started Grandmothers car that had been setting for years inside, was good cared for car. It ran for about 30 seconds and seized up, cylinders and rings were dry.

drolston · 08-22-2019, 05:17 PM

First be sure it is not completely frozen. You should be able to turn the engine with an 18" breaker bar on the crank nut. Do not use a longer extension, as you can shear the crank snout. If the car is in a position where it has room to move, you can rock it has room back and forth in high gear to turn the engine. Takes a couple of hefty helpers. Maybe get it rolling a foot or two and pop the clutch. Someone keep an eye on the fan to confirm engine rotates. If it is truly locked, the clutch will slip enough to prevent breaking something.

Once you know it is not hard locked up, pull the plugs, put some oil in each cylinder and crank with the starter. If it will crank, run a compression check first to be sure all cylinders will pull at least some pressure. If you have any near zero readings, you probably have stuck valves, and you do not want to actually start it until those are freed up. You also want to see the oil pressure gauge at least come off of zero while cranking with the plugs out (you have to have the ignition switch on for that test).

With at least a little compression and oil pressure, fire away. Some starting fluid is not a bad idea.

Good luck!

lonewolf · 08-25-2019, 09:36 PM

Pics of the car please.

Bill S · 08-26-2019, 04:57 AM

I would take the plugs out and see if the engine will turn with a breaker bar. If so spray some oil in each cylinder and turn the engine over a few times before replacing the plug so that you do not get lock up.

08-21-2019, 09:50 AM	#1
steve40490 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Gaston,SC Posts: 19	50 custom I bought a 50 custon that the engine has not been started in five years. What should I do before cranking this engine ?

08-21-2019, 10:06 AM	#2
4dFord/SC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,579	Re: 50 custom Make sure it's got gas, oil, and a charged battery, hit the switch, and see what happens. The results will determine subsequent actions.

08-21-2019, 10:27 AM	#3
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: 50 custom I would not use gas from the tank until you get all the old stuff out. Then use non ethonal if you can get it. Warm it up good and change the oil.

08-21-2019, 10:29 AM	#4
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,923	Re: 50 custom Double check and make sure there is oil in the engine. Remove the plugs and squirt some oil inside the cylinders before cranking the engine. Some may disagree, but, I would add a squirt of starting fluid down the carb. before cranking.

08-21-2019, 11:09 AM	#5
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: 50 custom Actually, for a car that has been sitting that long, I would try a breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley first to see if it is "stuck". Hitting it with the starter right away may break something. Even worse, if it actually started and there were some stuck valves, something might also break. After you find out if it is "stuck" or not, you several ways to go. All of them involve removing the spark plugs and introducing a solvent/lubricant into the cylnders.

08-22-2019, 06:09 AM	#6
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: 50 custom Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If it does turn, have plenty of penetrant/ lube in the spark plug holes that has been mentioned. Make sure your getting compression on all cylinders to be sure of no stuck valves. If you get to the point of cranking with the starter, do it with the plugs out and a mechanical oil pressure gauge hooked up to be sure your getting oil pressure before starting. We like pictures!!!!....Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

08-22-2019, 11:38 AM	#7
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,664	Re: 50 custom Some oil in cylinders first, crank by hand. I wouldn't think a little 2 cycle mix in the gas would hurt for extra lube. Started Grandmothers car that had been setting for years inside, was good cared for car. It ran for about 30 seconds and seized up, cylinders and rings were dry.

08-22-2019, 05:17 PM	#8
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: 50 custom First be sure it is not completely frozen. You should be able to turn the engine with an 18" breaker bar on the crank nut. Do not use a longer extension, as you can shear the crank snout. If the car is in a position where it has room to move, you can rock it has room back and forth in high gear to turn the engine. Takes a couple of hefty helpers. Maybe get it rolling a foot or two and pop the clutch. Someone keep an eye on the fan to confirm engine rotates. If it is truly locked, the clutch will slip enough to prevent breaking something. Once you know it is not hard locked up, pull the plugs, put some oil in each cylinder and crank with the starter. If it will crank, run a compression check first to be sure all cylinders will pull at least some pressure. If you have any near zero readings, you probably have stuck valves, and you do not want to actually start it until those are freed up. You also want to see the oil pressure gauge at least come off of zero while cranking with the plugs out (you have to have the ignition switch on for that test). With at least a little compression and oil pressure, fire away. Some starting fluid is not a bad idea. Good luck!

08-25-2019, 09:36 PM	#9
lonewolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 464	Re: 50 custom Pics of the car please.

08-26-2019, 04:57 AM	#10
Bill S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. So. Calif Posts: 411	Re: 50 custom I would take the plugs out and see if the engine will turn with a breaker bar. If so spray some oil in each cylinder and turn the engine over a few times before replacing the plug so that you do not get lock up.