Advice - starting an old engine

[Talkwrench]

Hoping to get a little advice from you guys just to back me up. On the weekend I have to take a look at a vehicle that we need to try and get running for a film crew. Its a very famous and unusual vehicle its an amphibious jeep fitted with what I would think a flathead 4 cyl Ford engine. I believe it was running about 6 years ago. What procedures would you use?

[alanwoodieman]

remove the spark plugs and pour 1/2 automatic trans fluid, 1/2 acetone into the plug holes and let soak for a couple of days, or at least overnight. place vehicle on level ground, put into high gear and rock it back and forth while observing the fan pulley to see if it moves. most of the times either the rings are sticking or the valves in the guides--especially if it is a Ford flat head

[SofaKing]

You don't mention storage conditions. I'd start with fresh petrol and battery, wire brush any carbon off the plugs, make sure it has oil and see if it will light-off. If it does, change the fluids, give it the once over, check the brakes and see if you can be an extra!

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone, My two cents, take extra power sources, batteries and chargers.

Something to squirt some fuel with.

Air if they are expecting it to roll. Jacks, skates if you have them.

[Talkwrench]

I think the idea will be to assess first but if we think everything looks ok we may give it a go with what we have. There is a mechanic coming out however I just want to make sure its done right if we attempt to start it. Cant afford to stuff it up with a gung-ho attitude. This vehicle has a famous history so it deserve a bit of respect now. It has been kept in an enclosure however I have been told that there are air gaps around the roof and walls so Im hoping no creatures have go in. We are not too bad here with mice , wasps etc fingers crossed.

Would there be anything wrong with using just a bit of oil down the cylinders?

I think one of the hardest things might be even finding the battery[s] on this thing and getting to the engine and parts...

[Mike in AZ]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

points file.....file the points to make sure there's good, clean contact.....should be 6V...hmmm...maybe 24V....here's a link to one for sale??.....or at least what i think you're describing....a Seep....good luck....Mike

http://www.armyjeeps.net/FordGPA6-9X/fordgpa.htm

[Kurt in NJ]

much depends on how it was put away---it could of had regular non detergent oil and now has a 2 inch layer of sludge in the bottom of the pan, start by looking at the dipstick, if the oil looks clean try to drain it ---if it comes out most likely you are ok, if you have to poke a hole in the sludge to get it to drain you should start by dropping the pan to clean it out

the points will most likely be corroded and need to be cleaned

look in the fuel tank, hopefully dry and clean,

[David J]

Good idea to loosen all drain plugs slightly and let out any condensation before it gets mixed with oil or gear lube . Clean fuel of course and I like to take all spark plugs out and squirt a little oil in there . You should be able to get some on the valve guides also . Leave the plugs out and check fluids and spin it with the starter till you get oil pressure . Rest is pretty obvious . Good Luck Dave

Originally Posted by Talkwrench

Hoping to get a little advice from you guys just to back me up. On the weekend I have to take a look at a vehicle that we need to try and get running for a film crew. Its a very famous and unusual vehicle its an amphibious jeep fitted with what I would think a flathead 4 cyl Ford engine. I believe it was running about 6 years ago. What procedures would you use?

[J Franklin]

Fresh oil for sure.

[Talkwrench]

Mike I would say that is what we'll be looking at but modified for ocean crossing .. yes I said that right.

[Lawrie]

If you get that thing going Rob,you could cruise on around in it.
Lawrie

[Willit Stop]

My little 21 stud sat around for 20 years and it fired right off.

[Talkwrench]

Well Lawrie I think the main thing is [as above] will it stop ..? It does need a caretaker the poor old gal. I hope the story will get out about this particular vehicle and it becomes a motion picture its quite a story. It was in a museum in the USA then was purchased and it came here back to where the original owner was from. If we get it started guess I could put it in low range and just run around the oval. I think its like "today tonight" or "Sunday night" one of the Australia wide crews are coming out to do the story in the middle of January. So look out for it Lawrie ..

[Karl Wescott]

This wouldn't be the "Half-Safe" driven/piloted by Ben Carlin? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Carlin.

If it is a GPA didn't they use the same flathead 4 as the Willys military jeeps?

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by Karl Wescott

This wouldn't be the "Half-Safe" driven/piloted by Ben Carlin? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Carlin.

If it is a GPA didn't they use the same flathead 4 as the Willys military jeeps?

Somewhere around 1940 the Military gave Ford the rights to build Jeeps like the Willys parts, the 4cyl flathead 134ci, most of the engine parts were same as Willys, except thay had timing chain instead just gears, the cam turned the other direction, every part on the engine had the letter f on it, every head bolt had f on the head. The tail gate had FORD on the back. Willys couldn't make them fast enough for the Military. I've built a few of them. Walt

[jacob smith]

Is that jeep on display at a school

[SofaKing]

Do you have to start it the first time on-camera?

[Talkwrench]

Hey good idea I'll try remember to do it.
Jacob . yes is all Im going to say at this point ; )
Karl ... shhhh!

[Mike in AZ]

"ocean crossing"?.....hope there aren't many waves.....Mike

[34billct]

I'd bring a can of starting ether.