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I received a 1953 Ford F100 that's been in the family. It has the original flatty and is in decent condition with pretty much only surface rust on cab (including floor) and some minor rust through at the bottom of some of the fenders. I've done some minor work on my own vehicles in the past (half-shaft, suspension/steering, starter, alternator, transmission rebuild, etc.) but never taken on a project like this. I would like to restore this as a driver. It hasn't been started in about 30 years (but apparently ran great then lol). I ordered some consumables like oil filter and sediment/fuel filter. I figured the priority would be to get it running then address each of the necessities for drivability as they become evident (already know brakes need to be redone and probably transmission/clutch too). Was looking at replacing the oil and fuel lines/filter and running out of a gas container until the tank can be inspected. I'll likely also put some mystery oil in the spark plug holes in preparation for the start attempt.
Any suggestions on some first items or strategies to keep in mind as I do this would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the forum!! It sounds like you've found the perfect truck for a project. It also sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on what it takes to fire up the ancient beast from its long slumber. Fresh fluids, make sure the crank turns by hand freely and hope there's no stuck valves. Check your wiring connections and clean the grounds. The only other mandatory thing I can think of right off is to post pictures. We like pictures. And, keep us posted on your progress!
It is obvious you’ll need a battery but keep in mind a 53 is 6v positive ground. Leave the Spark plugs out put the truck in neutral and crank the engine a bit after you change the oil to get oil circulated throughout the engine before trying to start. This will also let you know if the power train is frozen.
Welcome Aboard Neighbor! We've got some members up in Wisconsin ..so you'll want to put your location
on your profile so folks can help you with local suppliers, etc. Good luck... personally I'd take a look and drop the oil pan
and pop off the valve covers if it's been sitting 30 years.
Good luck over there. Post a video if you go for starting it....
Hello Neighbor! Welcome to the neighborhood. If the truck has been sitting for an extended period, in addition to the suggestions already made, I would do a very careful inspection of every engine entry point to assure that it wasn't the happy home for a critter of some sort. Also, none of these beauties were parked while fully operational. It is always a safe assumption that there was a problem of some type that preceeded the long nap. And to second Ben's point, let us know were in the Badger state you are - we might be neighbors in real life as well.
Yet another Wisconsin greeting! I'm from the north central part of the state. Welcome and good luck with your project. My truck was last driven on the road in 1967 when I inherited it in 2012. We got it running and driving again without too much difficulty, but that was just the start of the journey.
Pics! Please.
Sounds like a great project and i commend you on getting it up and running first. I did not and i regretted it for a long time.
Get it running (if possible), brakes, lights, etc and see what you've got. Can't wait to see it
I'm in the Madison area but working on this in Monroe (southcentral WI). I would be stoked to hook up with some good local resources. So far O'Reilly has been good for having many little parts in stock but had to order oil an gasket and belts.
We dropped the oil pan which was tough due to the oil pump and that axel/bar...but we got it out and clean. I also got the oil filter replaced and a temp fuel line hooked up (until we restore lines and tank). I also got a new fan belt and a new generator belt in too.
I think the engine is locked up. We tried turning the fan pulley bolt as well as push/drop the clutch to get it moving but no go yet. But I only put a capful of marvel in there. We put more in yesterday and I'll remove the plugs to help turn it over.
Here's the camshaft after a bit of cleaning.
And here's the truck as I received it.
I'm not great at taking pics but I'll try to remember to get more. Thanks for the encouragement and help so far.
Awesome truck! Looks like your true barn find. I'm not so sure about that engine, though. I hope it's in better shape than it looks. To me, it appears it may have been run dry and got hot. That's some pretty serious discoloration on the crank and bottom end parts. (That is your crank, by the way, not the cam)
Hola Neighbor,
You are getting there.... good job getting the temp fuel line in place.
That is a crazy clean crankshaft.... what is the white thing in the lower left of the pic
under the teeth? Lot's of Marvel mystery oil ... where did you add it?
There was water in the oil so I sprayed the crankshaft with carbeurator cleaner to get the sludge off...but it is in great condition with nice cylinder walls.
The white stuff was a nest of some sort. I really don't know how anything got in there but I am sort of figuring on a tranny rebuild or at least cleanup anyway. We got most of it out but I think the bell housing will need to come off to get it all.
I just put marvel in through the spark plug holes. Is there another place I can put it to help free it up?
Last edited by neighbor443; Jun 24, 2018 at 11:45 AM.
Reason: Info add
Awesome truck! Looks like your true barn find. I'm not so sure about that engine, though. I hope it's in better shape than it looks. To me, it appears it may have been run dry and got hot. That's some pretty serious discoloration on the crank and bottom end parts. (That is your crank, by the way, not the cam)
I think that's from the carburetor cleaning...it had oil in it but was sludged up from 30 years so I quickly sprayed it down...I'll clean it better when I get further into the project.
The white stuff was a nest of some sort. I really don't know how anything got in there but I am sort of figuring on a tranny rebuild or at least cleanup anyway. We got most of it out but I think the bell housing will need to come off to get it all.
Mouse house . . . You'll probably need to pull that clutch as the mice cause all kinds of corrosion with their urine.
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And, keep us posted on your progress!
You'll probably need to pull that clutch as the mice cause all kinds of corrosion with their urine.
