Hotwire a 54
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hotwire a 54
Can someone tell me a quick way to hotwire my 54 . I want to get this flathead running . The wires are disconnected at the gen & reg ,no wiring diagram , so I'm lost . Please help
Thanks Bruce H
Thanks Bruce H
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hotwire a 54
It's sat for 5 years . I know I have to change oil - filter - plugs - prime cyl - etc . Also , what goes in the hole in the intake close to the firewall, fuelpump ? . Can I just block it off ?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Hotwire a 54
Find where the truck wiring ties into the battery so you can disconnect it, since you don't want to start a fire with all those disconnected wires. Hook the large wires up to the battery that go to the starter to the battery. One should go to the starter solenoid and one should go to a ground. I think your truck is negative ground 6v? (53 was the last year for a flathead by the way). Take a wire from the battery and hook it to the coil terminal opposite from the terminal that goes to the dist. Take another hot wire and rig up a temporary starter switch or touch it to the small terminal on the starter solenoid and it should crank over.
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hotwire a 54
Before you do anything
This is a FLAT HEAD
NOT A OHC
I would Take every precaution before putting a starter to it
you can easly Destroy what you have with 1 turn of the crank if thier is an obstruction or even water in this engine.
Thier for REMOVE all spark plugs and inspect the cylinders with a light and your eyes.
This is a FLAT HEAD
NOT A OHC
I would Take every precaution before putting a starter to it
you can easly Destroy what you have with 1 turn of the crank if thier is an obstruction or even water in this engine.
Thier for REMOVE all spark plugs and inspect the cylinders with a light and your eyes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Hotwire a 54
Canadian built cars and trucks had flatheads well into the 54 model year. The electrical system is still 6V Positive ground.
As far as the hole where the fuel pump goes; what has found its way down there the past 5 years?
Before trying to fire, pull the plugs and give each cylinder a good shot of PB Blaster. Diesel fuel also works. Let it sit for an hour and then try bumping the starter to see it it will turn over. If its frozen put in some more diesel and let it sit for a week.
Once it turns freely then change oil. You can use a block off plate and run an electric fuel pump or do an old fashioned gravity feed using a lawnmower tank. Dont try to prime by pouring raw gas down the carb; after sitting so long the last thing you want to do is wash the lube off the cylinder walls. A squirt of WD-40 makes a good starting fluid.
Good luck.
As far as the hole where the fuel pump goes; what has found its way down there the past 5 years?
Before trying to fire, pull the plugs and give each cylinder a good shot of PB Blaster. Diesel fuel also works. Let it sit for an hour and then try bumping the starter to see it it will turn over. If its frozen put in some more diesel and let it sit for a week.
Once it turns freely then change oil. You can use a block off plate and run an electric fuel pump or do an old fashioned gravity feed using a lawnmower tank. Dont try to prime by pouring raw gas down the carb; after sitting so long the last thing you want to do is wash the lube off the cylinder walls. A squirt of WD-40 makes a good starting fluid.
Good luck.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hotwire a 54
Thanks guys . I will pull the plugs & prime the cyls with diesel first . Then turn by hand to make sure a valve isn't siezed . Does the fuelpump have a rod to the cam ? If yes , should I pull it out before I make a cover plate ? I'm going to boost with 12v , should I use a 12v coil & resister ? Also can someone checkout my previous post on Lower Grille Panel . I'm confussed .
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Hotwire a 54
Pull that rod.
Id suggest using a 6V battery as the primary power and then using a 12v battery to jump for short starting periods, been doing that for years in my 54 F-350 which is a very slow starter in cold weather. Hasnt hurt the coil or damaged the points since it usually only takes 10-15 seconds at 12V to fire off.
Once you get seriously into the truck then consider a 12V conversion. Personally I dont feel its worth the effort or expense since all the old stuff still works just fine and I dont need any fancy electronics...I use it as a home/hobby work truck to haul engines, gravel, etc..
Id suggest using a 6V battery as the primary power and then using a 12v battery to jump for short starting periods, been doing that for years in my 54 F-350 which is a very slow starter in cold weather. Hasnt hurt the coil or damaged the points since it usually only takes 10-15 seconds at 12V to fire off.
Once you get seriously into the truck then consider a 12V conversion. Personally I dont feel its worth the effort or expense since all the old stuff still works just fine and I dont need any fancy electronics...I use it as a home/hobby work truck to haul engines, gravel, etc..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
brucewon
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
May 19, 2023 02:59 PM
DJdemon6696
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Mar 14, 2020 07:25 PM
