'79 F150 w/351cid engine
 

This truck sat in a field for over ten years and I want to start it for the first time without further damage. What's my first step?

well, I'm no expert, but I'd say check the fluids, and check to see if the engine's siezed before you try the starter so you don't ruin it. Also, you don't want crud gas and stuff to be goin through the engine, so you probably want to drain and clean the tank.

Yes ck all the fluids, pull the plugs and put a little motor oil in there and turn it over by hand, let set and repeat. Re-install plugs.

I would try to start it off a 1 or 2 gal jug (old clean antifreeze jug) of clean new gas, take the fuel line off at the pump, on the rubber side going to the tank and put a little longer line on and in the jug.

If that goes ok, but I would say the carb will need to be rebuilt. But I am sure it might run with a little trickle of gas down the carb throat. Careful back fire, fire hazard, rag or coat off your back in a emergency, handy to smother.

Then drop the fuel tank and clean it out, especially if it has any old gas in it. If it will run and you are going got bring the truck all the way back to life, I would change the oil and filter next, it probably has moisture in the oil from setting.

If it starts, do not rev it all up, just let the oil burn off and let the rings get seated, they have been without oil for quite a while.

'79 F150 w/351cid engine
 

Thanks for the advice Jeremy and 77&79F250. I won't have to clean the gas tank - it's rusted away. I want to get this engine running before I spend any more money on it. If I can't do that I'll part the whole thing out.

just remember the old simple adage you only need 3 things for these old motors to run fuel air and spark.. assuming you dump fuel directly into the carb and hold the butterfly valve open if it doesn't start then it can really only be spark...Along with the suggestions of pulling the plugs and pouring a bit of oil to free up the motor might not be a bad idea to toss the plugs on a wire wheel for a few seconds too and clean off whatever rust is sure to have built up. That's not to say it will run right or long but if you can complete the triangle it will start

x2 on 77&79F250 but I used Marvel mystery oil and let it sit a day between 1/4 turn rotations. if you can pull the distributer to spin the oil pump and get oil through out the engine, that would just be an added insurance for the bearings and lifters. do you know why it got parked, that may have a bearing (pun intended)?