Hi all

I just got my 56 F100. The 272 has not run in around 15 years. What would be a good procedure to get it started for the 1st time?

My plans are not to use this engine but replace it will a bunch more HP. I just want to know if it runs. Makes it easer to sell.

Thanks

 

You're sure that replacing the 272 orig. engine will result in a better net selling price after you've gone through the expense and time of replacing?? Ok. There's a segment of the market that will highly prize an original condition/original running gear set of wheels.

I hope I'm not aiding the commission of sacrilige here, but assuming the engine rotates freely, I'd drain fuel and oil as it sat, put in fresh (10w-30 oil and 89 octane fuel is fine) along with a new filter and put a couple or three tablespoons of 30 weight engine oil in each cylinder, leave the spark plugs out and crank the engine 'till you register oil pressure...it'd help of you had a battery charger connected while doing that. Then, button everything up, put about six tablespoons of fuel down the carb. throat, put the air filter back on (!!) and try to start it for real. Just let it idle for a couple of mins before doing anything with the trottle so that oil has a chance to flow up where it's needed most (rockers).

 

I would add these suggestions; pull the spark plugs and put some Marvel Mystery Oil or Rislone in each cylinder. Let that stuff soak the rings for a while. Also, I'd be wondering if the carb needs to be rebuilt. The gaskets are probably dried out by now.

And, the gas tank may have a layer of gum in the bottom like mine did. When I got my truck earlier this spring, the new fuel pump couldn't seem to keep fuel in the carb (my 223 has a clear float bowl and I could see that it wasn't staying full.) I dropped the gas tank and took the sender off and looked inside. Besides bits of rubber from the rotting host that connects the fuel filler tube to the gas tank, there was a half inch layer of gum or varnish in the bottom of the tank. I washed that out with some lye. I had to clear out the fuel line, too.

My 223 wouldn't run right until I found the right spark plugs. Brand new Champion H10C spark plugs would get oil fouled right away. I swapped in a set of Autolite 85 plugs with the extended tips and it's now running great.

Even though I plan to swap the engine out within a year or so, I need to use the truck for chores till then. My rear main seal leaks badly and I plan to pull the engine and repair that and the front main seal, too. In fact, the valve cover and lifter cover gaskets are leaking and need replacing as well. But I have to say that there's a world of difference between the way my engine ran when I got the truck and the way it runs now.

Best of luck,

 

Thanks for the ideas.

Paul I think I may have led you a little astray. I plan on selling the drive train, not the truck. This truck has very little rust on it. The frame is in great shape and so is the cab. I just need more power then the 272 can give me. I plan on pulling a travel trailer with it. I also want to put in a auto transmision, and power disk brakes. Keeping it original is not in the plan.

Thanks again for the info.

Pat