locked up
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Virginia
locked up
Was finally able to do some work on the 55 after getting home from deployment for the weekend. Got the front end off in one piece and found out the 239 is locked tight. I know all the kowlegable folks on here can give me some ideas on how to free it up. I've heard everything from pouring tranny fluid in the cylinders to spraying WD40 in the plug holes. What is the best way or easiest way to get this thing to turn over with a minimal amout of work? Thanks in advance for all the info.
1955 F100
239 original motor
3 on the tree
1955 F100
239 original motor
3 on the tree
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
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From: Moro Bay, AR
I would first try filling the cylinders with a light oil, Marvel mystery oil, WD40, diesel fuel, etc...... and then wait at least a few days before trying to turn it. When you do try to turn, do so slowly, rocking the engine back and forth with a breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt. If this isn't enough, you can try to put the truck in high gear and roll it back and forth, letting the tourque of the drivetrain attempt to free the engine. I have even had to resort to pulling a vehicle and letting out on the clutch, but this is drastic measures that will surely do damage to rings and pistons if there is much rust in the cylinders.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I would definatley try Jeff's advice but I'd save the rocking it in gear or towing at and releasing the clutch for last resort type situations. Its very easy to break other components that way (I'd rather not go into how I found that out)
typically its only one or two cylinders that are rusted up. Pull the plugs, sometimes you can get a feel for which cylinder is causing the problem by looking at the plugs.
I once had a 360ci Ford rusted up, I was about 16 and terribly broke at the time. I couldn't get the engine to budge for anything. I finally removed the intake and one head. I placed a block of wood on the piston that was rusted in and set a bottle jack on top of that and wrapped a chain around the engine for the jack to push against and I jacked thepiston down a bit. Once I got it to move with the jack I cleaned up the cyclinder walls until I could get the piston to travel fairly easily. I put the engine back together, I even used the old head gasket (did I mention that I was broke) I drove that truck for another 5 years after that before selling it
Bobby
typically its only one or two cylinders that are rusted up. Pull the plugs, sometimes you can get a feel for which cylinder is causing the problem by looking at the plugs.
I once had a 360ci Ford rusted up, I was about 16 and terribly broke at the time. I couldn't get the engine to budge for anything. I finally removed the intake and one head. I placed a block of wood on the piston that was rusted in and set a bottle jack on top of that and wrapped a chain around the engine for the jack to push against and I jacked thepiston down a bit. Once I got it to move with the jack I cleaned up the cyclinder walls until I could get the piston to travel fairly easily. I put the engine back together, I even used the old head gasket (did I mention that I was broke) I drove that truck for another 5 years after that before selling it
Bobby
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From: Virginia
locked up
Thanks for the advice bobbytnm and mechmegcn. I tried spinning it using the crank shaft bolt with breaker bar and the bolt backs out with no problem so I know I won't have any difficulty getting that out. I will as a last resort either rock the truck back and forth or pull it and pop the clutch. As both of you said I don't want to take a chance on breaking anything. I will try WD40 first to see what happens. According to the PO the truck has been sitting since 78 and the plate is listed as August of 78. The block and heads seem to be in good shape.
The valve covers were off when I got the truck but everything else was in tack.
Thanks again and post more pics when I can remember to take the camera.
The valve covers were off when I got the truck but everything else was in tack.
Thanks again and post more pics when I can remember to take the camera.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,970
Likes: 9,782
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Try rocking the engine by using a prybar against the flywheel. You will get more leverage that way.
I would try a real rust penetrant like PB Blaster. WD-40 isn't the best thing in the world for this. I've had luck with Marvel Mystery Oil in the past as well.
It may take a few days of soaking
Bobby
I would try a real rust penetrant like PB Blaster. WD-40 isn't the best thing in the world for this. I've had luck with Marvel Mystery Oil in the past as well.
It may take a few days of soaking
Bobby
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,970
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: crowley, tx
i would go with the mystery oil for sure, it has never let me down
Warning somewhat unrelated story to follow:
my father in law doesn't believe in selling cars, or getting rid of anything for that matter, but i was able to talk him in to letting me fix up several of his old cars and getting rid of him, i know, brilliant plan. Anyway i started out with a 87 dakota that had sat for years, poured mystery oil in every orifface i could find, hooked up a new battery, and bingo, it fired right up, of course the tranny was shot, but thats not the point. A couple of veichles later I came to a 72 dodge d100 that had been sitting since the mid 80's, again poured in the magic juice added a battery and a gas can under the hood, and drove it around the block like it was brand new, and on a side not make sure check the brakes real good.
anyways, good luck with the truck, and keep us updated
Warning somewhat unrelated story to follow:
my father in law doesn't believe in selling cars, or getting rid of anything for that matter, but i was able to talk him in to letting me fix up several of his old cars and getting rid of him, i know, brilliant plan. Anyway i started out with a 87 dakota that had sat for years, poured mystery oil in every orifface i could find, hooked up a new battery, and bingo, it fired right up, of course the tranny was shot, but thats not the point. A couple of veichles later I came to a 72 dodge d100 that had been sitting since the mid 80's, again poured in the magic juice added a battery and a gas can under the hood, and drove it around the block like it was brand new, and on a side not make sure check the brakes real good.
anyways, good luck with the truck, and keep us updated
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Virginia
locked up
Thanks for info and insight jareddill. I will give the mystery oil a try and see what happens. I will also post more pics and keep everything posted as to how I make out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
had a similar situation, I put diesel in the cylinders, waited for three days, and was able to break it free by gently rocking it back and forth. I emphasize gently rocking the truck while in gear. Nothing broke, and was able to turn it over to pump the cylinders out, and then she fired right up. Never had a problem. My neighbor poored tranny fluid down the carb with it running after we broke it free, to clean out the cylinders and combustion chambers.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: MN - NW of Twin Cities
Originally Posted by mechmagcn
I would first try filling the cylinders with a light oil, Marvel mystery oil, WD40, diesel fuel, etc......
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
Woah! it had been sitting since 78 with the rocker covers off? Has it been turned over since 78? If not, you may never get it to turn over now, and if it does it still isn't likely to be much good. An engine can sit for a long time if buttoned up, but once it is opened to the elements for long, good luck!
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From: Virginia
locked up
AXracer,
It still had the hood on and it doesn't look like the time has done much damage to the rods, rockers and springs cause theres no rust on them. Just some caked up oil. Hopefully it's not in too bad a shape. I'll know more once I can get home again to check it out more thoroughly.
It still had the hood on and it doesn't look like the time has done much damage to the rods, rockers and springs cause theres no rust on them. Just some caked up oil. Hopefully it's not in too bad a shape. I'll know more once I can get home again to check it out more thoroughly.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
I thought it was sitting for only a little while. The one I was refering to, it contracted stuck cylinder syndrome during the 2 months I was in Basic. If yours has been sitting since 78, then I agree with Ax. You need to pull the motor, or at least pull the heads to look in the cylinders. I wouldn't bother with trying to unstick it until you know the condition of the insides. Ford all you know, there maybe a large amount of rust inside the cylinders, and you'll end up ruining the crank and rods, assuming they are not already gone.
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From: Virginia
locked up
I guess I won't bother tryn to turn it by hand. I'll jus pull the heads and see what I've got to look forward to as far as a rebuild. Maybe it won't be too bad. If it's to bad i'll jus pull motor and trans and think about selling to someone looking for a 239 and 3sp to rebuild.