The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Low Compression

Bored&Stroked · 02-18-2019, 02:24 PM

Also, if it was mine, I'd pull the oil pan, clean all the crap and sludge out of it (there will surely be some) before you start it. In many cases the old oil will have coagulated and turned into a nice thick layer of goo (depending on the type of oil that was in it). Don't pump all that crap through the engine . . . or worse, ruin the bearings because they're not getting a good supply of oil on initial start up.

Water pumps: You'll need a good set anyway . . . so if it was mine, I'd have 'Skips' water pumps rebuild your originals -- he does an excellent job and you'll be very thankful that you used him. When I had the water pumps out of it, I'd try flushing hot water through the engine (from the upper radiator hose location on the heads). See how much rust and other crap comes out of it.

Ignition: - just take it off, clean the points with a point file, gap them and put a quality capacitor/condenser in it. Don't use an old vintage condenser - most of them have gone bad. Don't worry about losing your timing - the distributor used an offset "tang" so it will index when you put it back on. You may want to check the vacuum brake in it - taking it apart, making sure it is cleaned and operational, etc..

I would crank it over with 5 new quarts of oil in it, with the plugs out of it and do your compression tests. You can even crank it with 12 volts to really turn it over fast (I do this to get the oil pressure up). Before you start it - make sure you have oil pressure.

It may actually run quite well after it warms up a bit and things get a chance to "loosen up and seal". You will probably need a new fuel pump - I'd recommend having CharlieNY (on this site) rebuild your original --- so it has the proper springs and diaphragm materials in it. Most of the "new" pumps have the completely wrong pressure settings. Once you've done the compression tests, started it and ran it through a few heat cycles - then recheck the compression and see what you have.

You may be surprised on how this old girl might run . . . I know I was with the 59AB in my 32 Cab - it had sat in an unheated garage for 55 years - I cleaned the oil pan, put a new oil pump in it, pulled the heads and put new gaskets in it, new water pumps, new ignition and fired it up. It ran pretty well for the next two years that I drove it. (While I built a new engine for the car). One thing others have said - it is a LOT more fun having your truck running and driving, while you find another engine to build for it. Just having something to drive gives one a LOT of motivation to continue on the project! It ALWAYS helps me!

02-18-2019, 02:24 PM	#30
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: Low Compression - keep trying or rebuild? Also, if it was mine, I'd pull the oil pan, clean all the crap and sludge out of it (there will surely be some) before you start it. In many cases the old oil will have coagulated and turned into a nice thick layer of goo (depending on the type of oil that was in it). Don't pump all that crap through the engine . . . or worse, ruin the bearings because they're not getting a good supply of oil on initial start up. Water pumps: You'll need a good set anyway . . . so if it was mine, I'd have 'Skips' water pumps rebuild your originals -- he does an excellent job and you'll be very thankful that you used him. When I had the water pumps out of it, I'd try flushing hot water through the engine (from the upper radiator hose location on the heads). See how much rust and other crap comes out of it. Ignition: - just take it off, clean the points with a point file, gap them and put a quality capacitor/condenser in it. Don't use an old vintage condenser - most of them have gone bad. Don't worry about losing your timing - the distributor used an offset "tang" so it will index when you put it back on. You may want to check the vacuum brake in it - taking it apart, making sure it is cleaned and operational, etc.. I would crank it over with 5 new quarts of oil in it, with the plugs out of it and do your compression tests. You can even crank it with 12 volts to really turn it over fast (I do this to get the oil pressure up). Before you start it - make sure you have oil pressure. It may actually run quite well after it warms up a bit and things get a chance to "loosen up and seal". You will probably need a new fuel pump - I'd recommend having CharlieNY (on this site) rebuild your original --- so it has the proper springs and diaphragm materials in it. Most of the "new" pumps have the completely wrong pressure settings. Once you've done the compression tests, started it and ran it through a few heat cycles - then recheck the compression and see what you have. You may be surprised on how this old girl might run . . . I know I was with the 59AB in my 32 Cab - it had sat in an unheated garage for 55 years - I cleaned the oil pan, put a new oil pump in it, pulled the heads and put new gaskets in it, new water pumps, new ignition and fired it up. It ran pretty well for the next two years that I drove it. (While I built a new engine for the car). One thing others have said - it is a LOT more fun having your truck running and driving, while you find another engine to build for it. Just having something to drive gives one a LOT of motivation to continue on the project! It ALWAYS helps me!