New member here, Happy Thanksgiving. Just got my 55 F-100 back from storage for the last 20 years. It hasn't been started for 8-10 years, the oil looks very thick, it isn't froze up and I know that it was in very good shape and ran very well when parked, it was remanufacterd a long time before that and not driven that much. My concern is that if I change fluids and start it that I may cause some type of damage internaly to the motor. Any ideas to maybe prevent that? It is a 292 V8. . Thank you for any responses.

 

Change the oil, check the coolant level, replace the battery, get a video camera and a can of starting fluid, and start it up! Welcome! We require pictures and a good story as well.

Edit: And oh yeah, you probably need to drain the gas tank and check that out too.

 

I would turn the crank over by hand first to make sure it is totally free from being stuck. And do as Doc said. Any fluids sitting over time will break down, and humidity and changing of weather will create condensation inside over time.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=22986&pictureid=85982https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=22986&pictureid=85981https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=22986&pictureid=85980https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=22986&pictureid=85979https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=22986&pictureid=85978

 

Welcome to the madness. Definately drain the gas tank. Corrosion in the tank can instantly plug fuel lines, ruin pumps and mess up carbs. Check the fluids as others have suggested and replace in my opinion. Try to resist just pouring some fresh gas in the carb and cranking it. Since you want to get it going again, you will have to replace things anyways. Do a complete tune up and you will be ahead of the game.

Oil - New filter and oil
Gas - Drain tank, clean fuel pump, replace with fresh gas
Radiator/Coolant - Drain radiator and engine block. Flush and put new 50/50 mix in
Check oil bath/air filter
Check plugs for condition, replace if necessary
New battery
Check wiring for vermit destruction. Squirrels and rodents love chewing on wiring

Do turn the crankshaft by hand and make sure you have a free turning engine. If you have the plug out you should be able to hear air escaping the plug hole.

Good luck and let us know how things went.

 

I would pressurize the oil pump/engine if possible. Easiest way is pull the coil wire and crank until you have oil pressure on the guage and if u r going to swap plugs anyway do it with the plugs out. Might save a little bearing wear instead of a dry start. Not sure how that engine was built, on some GM's we used to use a drill in the distributor hole and pressurize after a rebuild- which probably isn't necessary in this case. Your biggest issue will be gas, the stuff will still burn after sitting that long but it may have a clogged carb. I'd surely prime it after the oil pressure is good to keep the starter from getting too hot. If it runs the prime out and shuts off several times it may be time to vat the carb.

 

Won't hurt to pull the the plugs and squirt a little oil in the cly - Turn it over a few times without the plugs in and follow the above advice.
Once you've done that I would suggest that you either drive it or sit in it making motor noises while you think about what YOU want to do with it
Oh and welcome and enjoy

 

Hello Iowa and Welcome

You can add a location to your profile page (under the User CP) and find out who your neighbors are. Getting these old gals fired up is a great thing. Enjoy the ride.

DW

 

I am not sure why the pictures are not showing? Thanks for all the replies. The story is that my father aquired it from a guy that would not sell it however he did want a tractor with a loader this was around 1984 or 5 so he found a tractor with a loader and traded him for it that guy bought it from somebody in Colorado. I bought it from my father in 1990 I was eighteen and did not have a place to store it so he stored it for me untill recently. That is the surprise my wife had for me when it showed up at our place Monday night. (my dad lives 350 miles away she had a buddy go get it) it was a complete surprise!! I do have the original manuals and some paperwork that the motor was re-manufactered by ford it has how much it was bored etc.

 

Welcome to FTE this is the best site for good info on your truck. Great guys too.
If you edit your post with the image links put [img] [/img] around all your links. That will make them show up.
Shoot...like so:

 

Got some fresh oil and filter might have to try turning it over this weekend. The anti-freeze looks good and going to pull plugs and spray oil in ports will see what happens.

 

Welcome to FTE, and good luck this weekend. If you click on the " FAQ " button above there is alot of how to work the site info. Including how to load picks. Oh yeah when you get it running remember the brakes will also need some attention after sitting that long.

 

^^^^^^Looks like I'm late to the party and everybody has it covered.^^^^^^ Welcome aboard.

 

What has been said above, and.......Before you change the oil and fire her up, make sure you choose an oil formulated for flat tappet engines. Most modern engine oils have the anti wear ingredient, ZDDP removed and your flat tappet engine needs it to live. There are ZDDP additives in a can available also. If original, your engine is probably a 272 but that is good also.
And, yes, welcome to the forum,

 

So Iowawb - It's the long Thanksgiving weekend -
Did you get it started? Don't leave us hanging here.

Ben in Austin