Ok, so Dad and I are about to start the flathead, but, there's no exterior nut to grab ahold of on the crankshaft to turn it over. Just that snaggletooth thing the manual starter grabs. I was able to turn a few revs with a pipewrench, but I dont really lke that method. Does anyone have a picture of the old hand cranking device???? and maybe a cleaner way of turning the crank besides a pipewrench???

 

you should be able to put a socket over the snaggletooth thing as you call it, actually called a crankshaft ratchet nut, a 1-1/8" is too small but a 1-1/4" is real sloppy on the fit. Almost a metric size. The 1-1/4" socket will work if it isn't frozen on there however you will have to grind the outside of the socket to get it to slide in to the hole. I guess sockets back in the day were thinner, but you could also try and find a thin wall socket which should work. Brand new nuts look to be 1-1/8" in size if you were to replace it.

 

Thank you!!! now that is some useful info. Perhaps I did not crawl under there far enough to see that nut along the out edges of the crankshaft rachet fitting. I'll get a droplight down there next time. Of course it's raining hard now, so I can only stare out the window at it, but I'm thrilled to get away from the pipe wrench. Which did get me a coupla turns of the crank so I do have that in my favor.
Thanks again!!

 

Just hook 12 volts to it and let it rip!

 

Squirt some kind of light oil into the spark plug holes. I like marvel mystery oil. If you really want to do the engine a favor, crank it with the plugs out (and the oil in the cyls) enough to get the oil pressure to register on the gauge. I normally do first startups with an outboard motor 6 gal tank with the squeeze ball in the line.This eliminates the crud in the gas tank for now and gives you instant fuel to the carb. Use a test light to check for power at the distributor or test for spark at the coil wire before you try for a start. It's ok to jump start it up on 12 volts if you want to spin it up extra fast. Once everything is dialed in, 6 should be fine depending on the condition of the various ignition components. Get ready for a thrill. A first start on an old truck that's been sitting a long time is pretty much the second best feeling ever!

 

I'd have to agree with the "second best feeling ever"! I was a little anxious on my first start. It hadn't been run in 30 years or so, but the first time it fired, it scared the hell out of me and a friend. He was holding the fire extinguisher (just in case). Now it fires right up, runs but doesn't idle yet. Still scares the hell out of me. Guess I should put some sort of exhaust on it one of these fine days...

 

So yes, I did just that: Marvel Oil and a mix of some CRC I had laying around. Topped off the cylinders and turned the engine over fairly easily by hand(pipewrench). Then, new battery, new fuel pump, fresh oil and oil filter, new plugs, removed the starter because it seemed locked up. It was not locked up: bad grounds all over the place, chopped up wiring in general.
It turned over quite readily for awhile til we realized there was no spark. By then the battery was getting flat and I failed to bring as charger because Dad said previous owner sent him two. they were actually maintenance chargers at 1 and 1.5 amps. By then I was out of money and patience and still had to drive back to north Florida, where I sit now.
When the truck ever gets here, First I'll look at the points, then replace the condenser. Then I suspect she'll fire right off....