I have a 1960's f100 custom 4wd. It has sat outside for many years. Where do I start? I have heard you should spray marvels mystery oil in all the cylinders turn in over for a few second replace the plugs and then try to start it? Is this a good method. How about the carburetor? What should I do to prep it? I will drain the tank and flush the lines. Change all the fluids. Am I missing anything? Right now am going to go get the vin hopefully someone can decode it for me.

 

Ok, am back and did not find any info as far as a vin. Where would I look?

 

I would change the oil and oil filter, the oil bath/air filter, change the transmission/t-case oil and the oil in both differentials. 80w-90 gear oil works for all of them (except the engine obviously) and you just fill it up to the plug where you put oil in them. For all that it will take about 3 4 quart containers, it may take slightly more, but I don't remember.

Then I'd try to charge the battery and start it. It wouldn't hurt to remove the spark plug and put a small spoonful of engine oil into each cylinder before you start it. Then when you have it running smoothly give it an ignition tune up and replace the points, condenser and coil.

After all that It should run about as smooth as it can with out any engine work. You will probably have to rebuild the carb. My truck sat for about 10 years and when I got it running the seals in the carb were bad.

Also, If its been sitting for years, the gas it probably bad. You will probably have to drain whatever gas is in it and put fresh gas in. Replace the rubber lines while you are at it. Its about $3 worth of hose, so no reason not to do it.

Also also, the brakes may not work either, and even if they do, bleed the lines and put fresh brake fluid in. Dot 3 or dot 4 will work. You may have to rebuild the brakes. Basically after all these years anything made of rubber goes bad on these trucks.

After all that you pretty much have to figure it out for yourself, but certainly replace the oils and brake fluid before you try actually driving it around.

Vin is located on driver's side door when you open it.

 

Thanks for the help! I checked the drives door for the vin but all that is there is what used to be a sticker. Any other way I can tell what year it is? Ok cheesy video but my truck looks like this without the wrap around rear window. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRaiTULmgU and has a longer box i think

 

If the truck looks like this, you should post in the 1957/60 forum. Since the truck has 4WD, it's either a 1959 or a 1960.

Look on the left (drivers) side A pillar (windshield post), visible when the door is opened, for the Rating Plate. Has the VIN, other codes stamped on it.

The Rating Plate could also be located on the inside of the glovebox door.

The Warranty Plate was first installed on the left door face below the latch in 1963.

 

Thats a neat truck!

 

Yeah, not mine but mine looks like that except for the back rear window. I'll upload some pictures if I can figure out how and show you all the project I have ahead of me.

 

You have been given a lot of good info. Since you say looks like the one in the video it is a 57-60 body style. Ford starting offering factory 4x4 in 59 but you could special order it as an option where ford sent it out to a second company to do the conversion before that. Also in all the years its been since this truck was made its very possible that it could have been converted (thats what i did with mine). Like Bill said the vin plate should be inside the glove box door. i looked forever for mine before i finally found it. You should be able to pin point what year your truck is by the grill the were different for every year.

here is the grill in my 59 when i got it


a 60 grille


a 58 grille


a 57 grille


all pictures jacked from the galleries, hope this helps.

 

Oh and i would try to turn the motor via a socket on the front of the crank first to make sure the motor is not stuck since you say it has been sitting. If it turns by hand follow 63' f100's procedure and you should be set.

 

You might as well go on and rebuild the carb now and get it over with. Any gas that was left in it has long since evaporated leaving varnish and dirt. Give yourself the best chance to start with. Also a new set of points. Priming the oil pump and circulating the oil for awhile before attempting to start will help, oling the bearings and valve train, and you will be able to check for oil pressure. I recently fired one up on the first try after sitting for 28 years following these procedures.

 

Thanks for your help. So since my grille matches I have a 60's truck. Is this the 292 engine? Which Holley carb is it?

 

My truck sat under a pine tree for 11 years, just got it roadworthy. It needed:
All fluids, brakes rebuilt, tank cremed/bladdered, carb rebuild, fuel line, battery. Best wishes with your new old truck.

 

Don't forget to put on new fuel filters...Good luck with your new toy!!
And Welcome to FTE...

 

So the top say 6 inches of my gas tank is rusted like crazy is there a good way to get that rust out. I'm currently working on removing the gas tank. The only things standing in my way is the fitting on the bottom of the metal tube coming out of the gas tank is very rusted so i got it sitting with some liquid wrench. Hopefully it will work. How do I remove the bowl in the bottom of the fuel pump to clean the filter?

 

Forget the liquid wrench. May as well go on a buy a few cans of PB Blaster, you're going to need them.