V8 Flat Head
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
Well dont hit the starter. There could be a valve stuck in the down position. If so and you hit the starter it could stay stuck and can hurt the camshaft. So take your hand and turn it over using the fan and feel for a stuck valve. If there is take some marvel mystery oil and dump in the cylinder with the stuck valve (you can find the cylinder with stuck valve by taking out all spark plugs and check for no compression) Then if you dont have any stuck valves take your fuel pump off and check it out and make sure it works. Then run a rubber fuel line to a vinegar bottle with gas. Then take off the distributor cap and take a small file and file in between the points. put that back together and check oil. Then take the sending unit off for the oil pressure and turn engine over to make sure there is oil pressure. Then get a 6 volt battery and a small set of jumper cables and put the positive on a good ground on the engine. Take the negative and hook it to the negative on the coil. Then hit the starter and good luck!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
fill it full of oil to soak the gaskets , and i mean full . let it sit for a couple of days . take the plugs out . try to turn it over . if it doesn't mine was filled with deisel . and left and ocassionally tried to turn it with a breaker bar . still bent a valve though .just keep working at it till it free's up . she will or it's toast and gonna require some work ....................
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Peterborough, Ontario
As this engine has not turned over for years it would be a good idea to pump oil through everything. I made an oiling system from and old oil furnace gear pump and plastic pail that will pump oil through the entire system at 60 - 70 lbs pressure (put a mechanical pressure gauge on the fitting). You can even run a solution of kerosine through it as well to clean out any gunk. Once it is clean you can pump clean oil in and be sure all the bearings are lubricated. WD40 the cylinders and let them soak for a while. Then you can turn it over and check compression to see if you have stuck valves. The next step would be to pull the heads off and check for cracks.
I have some pictures in my gallery of the pumping system and there is more infor on the net for this but it is the only way to ensure you get oil into all the bearings as you can't rely on the oil pump at this point and it also takes several turns to prime.
Hope this helps
I have some pictures in my gallery of the pumping system and there is more infor on the net for this but it is the only way to ensure you get oil into all the bearings as you can't rely on the oil pump at this point and it also takes several turns to prime.
Hope this helps
