The Ford Barn

zoegrant · 12-21-2017, 11:35 PM

I would like to establish oil pressure in the engine before starting that has set for many years...I have no battery or starter installed at the present time.
My questions are these......with the spark plugs removed would I be able to turn the engine over using an impact socket on the crank shaft nut to try to test oil pressure ?????
Or would the impact wrench distroy the threads on crankshaft snout ?????

deuce_roadster · 12-21-2017, 11:57 PM

Since you have to have a battery and starter anyway to start it, go get them and don't have voltage to the coil when cranking it over (so if you forget you don't toast the coil and points) and of course have the plugs out.

cas3 · 12-22-2017, 12:20 AM

on model Ts we do it with a LARGE old time drill, like a 5/8 slow rpm job. ya know, the ones that will break your arm before they stop. impact gun will cause some damage i would guess

JM 35 Sedan · 12-22-2017, 12:25 AM

I've turned them by hand, with my 3/4" drive ratchet set, with enough speed to get a slight indication on a mechanical op gauge, letting me know I was getting oil flow/pressure through the system.

drolston · 12-22-2017, 12:47 AM

I confess that I have resorted to the impact wrench to get the nut off, but never to put it on. I have been told that kind of shock input is not great for the rod bearings that absorb the load. Kind of like the damage that pre-ignition can do to the bottom end.

You are going to need a starter and battery eventually; why not now?

corvette8n · 12-22-2017, 08:27 AM

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I twisted the snout off a lawnmower engine once with an impact, so I don't think I would try it in a flathead. Do you have the original hand crank? You could try that.

JSeery · 12-22-2017, 09:06 AM

I would suggest not using an impact.

D. Jones · 12-22-2017, 10:13 AM

Why not put the original hand crank ratchet back on it and use the original crank?

Someday I'm going to try to start my pickup using the hand crank just to see if I can.

rotorwrench · 12-22-2017, 01:00 PM

Have some patience. The starter is best for that type of thing. Shocking the hell out of the rotating components could cause damage before the oil starts to flow in there. It will take a while to get some pressure up at low rpm but it should at least give a small pressure indication after a bit of starter cranking.

zoegrant · 12-22-2017, 11:17 PM

Thanks to all....I will not use an impact wrench....I will buy a battery to crank engine over.

MGG · 12-23-2017, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. Jones

Why not put the original hand crank ratchet back on it and use the original crank?

Someday I'm going to try to start my pickup using the hand crank just to see if I can.

I started my 1940 Ford truck last Spring for the first time in about 35 years. After it had run several times and started easily, I tried starting it with the hand crank. To my surprise it, easily started right up with about 1/4 turn.

Step-down · 12-23-2017, 08:21 PM

Prime with oil by removing oil sending unit .

woodypecker · 12-23-2017, 09:34 PM

I use an inline fuel pump to and route it through the fuel gauge fitting like the previous poster.

12-21-2017, 11:35 PM	#1
zoegrant Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tolland CT Posts: 773	59a/b engine crank bolt question I would like to establish oil pressure in the engine before starting that has set for many years...I have no battery or starter installed at the present time. My questions are these......with the spark plugs removed would I be able to turn the engine over using an impact socket on the crank shaft nut to try to test oil pressure ????? Or would the impact wrench distroy the threads on crankshaft snout ?????

12-21-2017, 11:57 PM	#2
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,971	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question Since you have to have a battery and starter anyway to start it, go get them and don't have voltage to the coil when cranking it over (so if you forget you don't toast the coil and points) and of course have the plugs out.

12-22-2017, 12:20 AM	#3
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beverly Kansas Posts: 5,298	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question on model Ts we do it with a LARGE old time drill, like a 5/8 slow rpm job. ya know, the ones that will break your arm before they stop. impact gun will cause some damage i would guess

12-22-2017, 12:25 AM	#4
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question I've turned them by hand, with my 3/4" drive ratchet set, with enough speed to get a slight indication on a mechanical op gauge, letting me know I was getting oil flow/pressure through the system. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

12-22-2017, 12:47 AM	#5
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,811	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question I confess that I have resorted to the impact wrench to get the nut off, but never to put it on. I have been told that kind of shock input is not great for the rod bearings that absorb the load. Kind of like the damage that pre-ignition can do to the bottom end. You are going to need a starter and battery eventually; why not now?

12-22-2017, 08:27 AM	#6
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I twisted the snout off a lawnmower engine once with an impact, so I don't think I would try it in a flathead. Do you have the original hand crank? You could try that.

12-22-2017, 09:06 AM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question I would suggest not using an impact.

12-22-2017, 10:13 AM	#8
D. Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 519	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question Why not put the original hand crank ratchet back on it and use the original crank? Someday I'm going to try to start my pickup using the hand crank just to see if I can.

12-22-2017, 01:00 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question Have some patience. The starter is best for that type of thing. Shocking the hell out of the rotating components could cause damage before the oil starts to flow in there. It will take a while to get some pressure up at low rpm but it should at least give a small pressure indication after a bit of starter cranking.

12-22-2017, 11:17 PM	#10
zoegrant Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tolland CT Posts: 773	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question Thanks to all....I will not use an impact wrench....I will buy a battery to crank engine over.

12-23-2017, 08:21 PM	#12
Step-down Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hat City (Danbury CT) Posts: 647	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question Prime with oil by removing oil sending unit . __________________ "I can't cry as long as I know the Lord has risen "

12-23-2017, 09:34 PM	#13
woodypecker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clarkston, Michigan Posts: 239	Re: 59a/b engine crank bolt question I use an inline fuel pump to and route it through the fuel gauge fitting like the previous poster.