7 Tips for Starting a Ford Truck That's Been Sitting for Years
1. Change the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter, especially if you're not sure the last time it was done. This will ensure that you have fresh oil to lubricate your old engine, and a clean filter for it to flow through. When the drain plug is out, stick a screwdriver up in the oil pan to check for any clumps. If they're present, you'll want to remove and clean the oil pan to make sure your oil pump doesn't get clogged up.
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2. Check the Spark Plugs and Ignition Wires
Pull the spark plugs and inspect them. If they are nasty or have crud on them, then replace them. Squirt a little bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders using a funnel with a piece of tubing attached to the end. Let it sit for a little bit to ensure that it has time to really get down in the cylinders. Take a look at your spark plug wires, and look in the distributor cap for any corrosion.
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3. Turn the Motor Over by Hand
Remove the distributor cap so that you can see the rotor, then grab a breaker bar and a socket. Place it on the crank bolt and try to turn the motor by hand while watching the rotor. The rotor should turn with the motor; if it doesn't, your timing chain may be worn out. The engine should turn smoothly with no binding.
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4. Check the Carb
Look in the bowl and check for any gunk. If the fuel in the carb smells like varnish, it's a good indication that the rest of the fuel system is gunked up. Check your gaskets and replace any that are dried out. Look down in the intake for any debris, and clean out any that you might find. If possible, rebuilding the carb is never a bad idea if you're not sure how old it is.
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5. Drain All of the Old Fuel
If the truck has been sitting for a while, it's likely that the fuel is bad. Old gas will gunk up your fuel system, so your best bet is to simply drain it out and replace it with fresh gas.
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6. Prelube the Motor
Prelubing the motor, or manually turning the oil pump in order to push oil through the motor, ensures that everything is lubricated properly once you start it up. This is possible with most, but not all, oil pumps by using a cheap tool and a big drill. Spin the pump until you see oil pressure registering on the gauge. If you can't use this method to prelube, then turn the motor over using the starter until the oil pressure comes up.
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7. Start the Engine and Check for Noises
Start the engine up and listen for any strange noises. If you hear any, shut it down immediately. Don't be alarmed if the engine smokes a bit, as this is entirely normal. Just remember: starting an old engine is a roll of the dice. Sometimes it will fire right up, and other times it may take a little more effort!
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For maintenance and repair guides, browse our technical How-to articles here at Ford-trucks.com!