Need your Old Car Experience Help

gericurl76 · 08-30-2009, 10:53 AM

So I was cleaning up my parents yard last weekend and I noticed a truck still sitting in the same spot that it has for the last 10 years.

It's a 1965, C-10 Fleetside with a very-low miles 350 in it.
My dad says it was running when they parked it.

Ok here's where I need help. What do you experienced guys recommend I do before trying to start it up. I've only worked on my FJ and repaired the beater cars I've owned over the years.

I've already taken out the gas tank and dumped out the old gas (I'll swish some around in there to rinse it out before re-installing it), bought a new battery, checked the tire pressure (I'm sure it will need new rubber before driving it much after sitting so long in one place)

It has good oil level. The oil is a little blacker than I like, but I don't want to sink a bunch of $ into oil if it's never gonna start.
1-Is there any reason to change the oil before trying to start it?

I would like to try and flush the fuel lines before starting it too.
2- any suggestions on the best way to do that? (air compressor? force new gas through it somehow?...)

3- Do I need to do anything to the Carburetor before firing it up?
4- Is there anything else you would do before attempting to start it up/Do you have any tricks to help get it going?
5- Do you guys know of any good online resources? (apart from your answers here of course)

I plan on turning it into something like this:

(There's something about the paint job that I love)
without dropping it. I intend to use it as a truck. (my driveway is steep and has a kink at the bottom that I would have to find a line every time I tried to park it lol)

Any help/suggestions would be awesome.

**cnckart** · 08-30-2009, 11:19 AM

Hey Brett! I would change the oil after getting it started, I bet you are going to have to rebuild that carb too. Sounds like a fun new project!

dsbike · 08-30-2009, 11:35 AM

Nice find, 1st thing you need to do is remove all the spark plugs, take note of where each wire is attached to which cylinder so you you don't reinstall the wires out of firing order. Pour about 1 ounce of oil in the plug hole and turn the engine over by hand several rotations with a large socket on the vibration dampner pully bolt located on the bottom pully below the fan, center. besure to disconnect the battery before rotating engine.

Next you will most likely need to clean the float bowl of the carb. To clean out the fuel lines you can disconnect the fuel line at the fuel pump which I believe is on the right side of the engine block. Blow compressed air through this line. You may have a fuel filter in line between the tank & the pump, if so remove before clearing the line and replace with new after blowing thru line. You will also want to disconnect the fuel line from the pump to the carb and blow it out with compresse air. There will also be a fuel filter at the carb. If it is the Rochester carb it will be inside the large fitting on the carb where the fuel line attaches. When reinstalling be sure to tighten but be careful not to crack carb casting (ask me how I know) . If you remove the fuel lines from the truck ( not nessasary) then you can flush them with alcohol. Check the lines for any rust holes before you add fuel and after when you get the truck running.

Check that you have brakes, you wouldn't want this truck to get away from you. Before you drive the truck be sure to go completely over the brake system. Check the brake hydraulic lines for any rust holes before starting the truck with someone holding pressure on the brake pedal.

As a precaution I would have a fire extinguisher handy.

Good luck & send us some pics. Let us know how she runs.

**Woodsman** · 08-30-2009, 11:42 AM

Looks like it'll make a sweet rat rod. Have fun with it.

DoWork · 08-30-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

dsbike previously said:

Nice find, 1st thing you need to do is remove all the spark plugs, take note of where each wire is attached to which cylinder so you you don't reinstall the wires out of firing order. Pour about 1 ounce of oil in the plug hole and turn the engine over by hand several rotations with a large socket on the vibration dampner pully bolt located on the bottom pully below the fan, center. besure to disconnect the battery before rotating engine.

Next you will most likely need to clean the float bowl of the carb. To clean out the fuel lines you can disconnect the fuel line at the fuel pump which I believe is on the right side of the engine block. Blow compressed air through this line. You may have a fuel filter in line between the tank & the pump, if so remove before clearing the line and replace with new after blowing thru line. You will also want to disconnect the fuel line from the pump to the carb and blow it out with compresse air. There will also be a fuel filter at the carb. If it is the Rochester carb it will be inside the large fitting on the carb where the fuel line attaches. When reinstalling be sure to tighten but be careful not to crack carb casting (ask me how I know) . If you remove the fuel lines from the truck ( not nessasary) then you can flush them with alcohol. Check the lines for any rust holes before you add fuel and after when you get the truck running.

Check that you have brakes, you wouldn't want this truck to get away from you. Before you drive the truck be sure to go completely over the brake system. Check the brake hydraulic lines for any rust holes before starting the truck with someone holding pressure on the brake pedal.

As a precaution I would have a fire extinguisher handy.

Good luck & send us some pics. Let us know how she runs.

x2. especially on pouring a little oil in the cylinders. You dont want to throw a rod because the oil has all settled.

rockland · 08-30-2009, 02:18 PM

I'd change the engine oil.

gericurl76 · 08-30-2009, 02:20 PM

Thanks for all the tips. I'm on my way over again in an hour or so.

I'm just trying to get it to run well enough not to damage anything and get her back up to my house.

I'll probably spend a good portion of the winter doing body work and learning a bunch.
Maybe I'll do a build up in the "other vehicles" forum

I'm 32 years old, I hope it's not too late to learn to weld lol.

FJD08SE · 08-30-2009, 06:55 PM

Well, here is the best list I've found. It all depends on how conservative an approach you want to take.

There is NO way that dripping oil down the cylinders will oil the cam, rod, and main bearings properly (if at all), not to mention the cam lobes, lifters, etc. Even pre-oiling (pre-pressurizing) won't lube all of the dry surfaces (although it should do a pretty good job on the bearings).

>If the engine has not been turned over for a long time and you REALLY want to MINIMIZE start-up damage, here's the best way to do it:

1) Do NOT turn the engine over.
2) Drain out the old oil and crud.
3) Install a new oil filter (if it has one).
4) Buy a few gallons of cheap motor oil and fill the block with it, up to the level of the camshaft.
5) Pull out the spark plugs and pour some oil down each cylinder.
6) Let everything soak in for several hours (at least).
7) Crank the engine slowly by hand to make sure nothing is stuck (like a piston ring).
8) If the engine is free, crank it for a while with the starter until the oil pressure comes up (leave the spark plugs out to reduce any pressure against the bearings.
9) Drain out the excess oil to bring the level down to normal.
10) Replace the spark plugs and start the engine. Run it long enough to warm it up well.
11) Change the oil and filter. Use good oil this time.

Nothing to it! Overkill? It depends on your perspective. How much money are you spending on this rig? Is the engine in good condition? A few gallons of cheap oil won't set you back that much, and you can use the leftover oil for the same thing later on.

Credit goes to this guy: Alan Bowes inbox@todacosa at this site
Reviving a Sleeping Beauty

gericurl76 · 09-08-2009, 11:10 AM

Update:

Pics of the actual truck

Still got that showroom shine

Work so far:

Removed gas tank, cleaned it out, replaced it.
Flushed fuel lines with compressed air.
removed broken 1980's tape deck
drained oil/ replaced oil filter
new oil added (cheap 10w40 instead of the recommended 10w30 so it should circulate a little easier through gunked up passages and help break up any artery clogs)
Oil additive added to help clean deposits/build up.
Removed spark plugs (checked them for wear)
Put oil in each spark plug hole
turned the motor by hand a few revolutions
aired up tires (for transport to garage only)
Removed carburetor (in preparation for rebuild)
Removed battery, replaced pos (+) terminal
Replaced battery with another bad one I got from my Bro-in-Law.
Removed that battery too.

Total Spent so far $30.00ish

Next up:
Find battery (probably a new one even though I don't want to spend $60 for it just to sit for the next 6 months to a year as a garage queen)
Carb Kit
Try to fire her up.

taltyman · 09-08-2009, 01:07 PM

I bought a 1960 F100 pickup a few years ago from where it was sitting in a farmer's pasture. Someone had dropped a 360 v8 in it. Had a similar paint job and interior to yours.

It ended up being my daily driver for several years until it started becoming a money pit.
At any rate if you plan on keeping it around a while you may as well go ahead and pull the heads and intake manifold and put a set of rings and lifters in it. Mine had a 2 bbl and I managed to find a 4bl intake manifold and put that on and replace the 2 bbl carb while I had it apart. Enjoy your project and keep us posted with pics as it progresses.