The Ford Barn

Magoo2 · 11-01-2017, 08:38 AM

I inherited my fathers 1931 wide body pickup. It ran about 13 years ago. I'm about to start it up. Any pointers as to what I should do prior to starting. I also have a pile of parts that came with the car including 5 engines. I would like to rebuild one of them does anyone know of a tutorial or video with step by step instructions to rebuild an engine?

jhowes · 11-01-2017, 09:03 AM

You will find several posts on this site on starting an engine after it has sat for some time. In general look into the valve cover and see if there is any sludge, if so then the oil pan also needs to be cleaned. The fuel system needs to be clean from tank to intake manifold. Third, flush out the cooling system and check the electrical for spark and no shorts. you should be good to go without introducing headaches. Jack

SeaSlugs · 11-01-2017, 09:05 AM

I dont mean to offend but you probably arent going to have the equipment or knowledge to properly pour the bearings in the engine you want to rebuild. They arent like moderns you can buy new inserts and hone to fit. You may get lucky and it not need new bearings but theres a reason those 5 engines arent in cars anymore. There are several engine rebuilders scattered across the country that do a fine job that will rebuild it properly for you.

But yes what jhowes said is correct on everything else. Also check the transmission and rearend and steering box oil levels and regease every grease fitting so you know everything has some.

burner31 · 11-01-2017, 09:33 AM

I'll leave all the nut and bolt tech stuff to others.
One thing I would recommend you do is to get a video set-up and ready, start filming when you try to start.
You won't believe the look on your face or the smile that will burst from you face when she finally fires and idles.
You'll want to see it again...and again...and again.
I watch my first start-up (after 54 years) from time to time, and it never fails to make me feel good.
And a BIG welcome to the BARN.

WHN · 11-01-2017, 10:08 AM

True story. Found Model A that had been sitting in Up-State New York barn for 35 years.

Pumped up tires, used lawn mower gas in tank, water in radiator, put old battery we found in corner on charger, than went in house for lemonade while battery charged.

30 minutes or so later came out, put battery in car. Hit starter button, it fired right up. I would have driven it home, but clutch was rusted to flywheel. True story.

That car has since been restored, but the engine is still the same. You would swear it had been just rebuilt. Enjoy.

glenn in camino · 11-01-2017, 10:27 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Read all the posts about restarting an old Model A engine. The Barn guys know what you need to do.

Magoo2 · 11-01-2017, 08:39 PM

Thanks to all of you for the help and advice I have to do some additional research.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 11-01-2017, 10:29 PM

McGee and McGee a good book on building model A engines available from model A parts suppliers as Brattons, Synders, Bert’s , and others.

Dodge · 11-01-2017, 11:10 PM

On the frozen clutch disc. I have bought a couple of cars that the disc was frozen to the flywheel. I jacked up the cars and put it on axle stands, started it up and ran it to about
40mph then put the clutch in and jammed on the brakes including the parking brake.
After two or three tries they broke loose.
I have heard of the clutch disc coming apart using this method, but its worth a try.

11-01-2017, 08:38 AM	#1
Magoo2 Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: NJ Posts: 61	Engine startup after many years I inherited my fathers 1931 wide body pickup. It ran about 13 years ago. I'm about to start it up. Any pointers as to what I should do prior to starting. I also have a pile of parts that came with the car including 5 engines. I would like to rebuild one of them does anyone know of a tutorial or video with step by step instructions to rebuild an engine?

11-01-2017, 09:03 AM	#2
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: Engine startup after many years You will find several posts on this site on starting an engine after it has sat for some time. In general look into the valve cover and see if there is any sludge, if so then the oil pan also needs to be cleaned. The fuel system needs to be clean from tank to intake manifold. Third, flush out the cooling system and check the electrical for spark and no shorts. you should be good to go without introducing headaches. Jack

11-01-2017, 09:05 AM	#3
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Engine startup after many years I dont mean to offend but you probably arent going to have the equipment or knowledge to properly pour the bearings in the engine you want to rebuild. They arent like moderns you can buy new inserts and hone to fit. You may get lucky and it not need new bearings but theres a reason those 5 engines arent in cars anymore. There are several engine rebuilders scattered across the country that do a fine job that will rebuild it properly for you. But yes what jhowes said is correct on everything else. Also check the transmission and rearend and steering box oil levels and regease every grease fitting so you know everything has some. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

11-01-2017, 10:08 AM	#5
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,846	Re: Engine startup after many years True story. Found Model A that had been sitting in Up-State New York barn for 35 years. Pumped up tires, used lawn mower gas in tank, water in radiator, put old battery we found in corner on charger, than went in house for lemonade while battery charged. 30 minutes or so later came out, put battery in car. Hit starter button, it fired right up. I would have driven it home, but clutch was rusted to flywheel. True story. That car has since been restored, but the engine is still the same. You would swear it had been just rebuilt. Enjoy.

11-01-2017, 10:27 AM	#6
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Engine startup after many years Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Read all the posts about restarting an old Model A engine. The Barn guys know what you need to do.

11-01-2017, 08:39 PM	#7
Magoo2 Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: NJ Posts: 61	Re: Engine startup after many years Thanks to all of you for the help and advice I have to do some additional research.

11-01-2017, 10:29 PM	#8
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,365	Re: Engine startup after many years McGee and McGee a good book on building model A engines available from model A parts suppliers as Brattons, Synders, Bert’s , and others.

11-01-2017, 11:10 PM	#9
Dodge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sonoma, CA. Posts: 1,513	Re: Engine startup after many years On the frozen clutch disc. I have bought a couple of cars that the disc was frozen to the flywheel. I jacked up the cars and put it on axle stands, started it up and ran it to about 40mph then put the clutch in and jammed on the brakes including the parking brake. After two or three tries they broke loose. I have heard of the clutch disc coming apart using this method, but its worth a try.