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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 42 | I was wondering what everyones opinion is on starting the engine on my truck.1946 chevy truck 235. Should I try to start the engine before I start tearing it down for restoration or don't even worry about it now? I have a 1942 chevy with the same motor that I know will run. I was planning on using the 42 engine for now with just cleaning it up. Then I could go thru the 46 after I got everything else done. What say you all?
Mike | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,061 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,061 | Hy Mike, If it will turn freely with the plugs out you could try to run it and monitor the oil presure, and just listen to how it's running, but if your going to rebuild it anyway it might just be a waste of time. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 42 | I also was wondering about checking the gauges out before I take them out. Can they be checked on the bench? Also is the key for the ignition also the same for the door and the glove box? I found a key laying on the floor of the cab in the rest of the old spark plugs and dirt and seeds from the squirrels I guess. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,682 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,682 | I'd say it all depends on how far you'll be tearing the engine down.
If your 'teardown' is going to be mostly cosmetic, like pulling it all apart, cleaning it up, painting, and re-assembly, then i'd definately try firing it up before hand to make sure there isn't any serious problems with the motor.
If you're doing a from the block up rebuild with all new parts and stuff.. well, i'd not even bother trying to start it.
If the motor turns free, it's very likely you could get it running with little effort, and decide to just hose it down with some engine brite and run it the way it is!
an idea is only stupid if you think about it rationally.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,682 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,682 | As far as checking gauges on the bench.. temp is easy to test.. just stick the probe in a pain of hot water and see if the needle rises!
Charge meter can be checked with a large load resistor (or 6V headlight) and a 6V battery with the gauge tied in series with the load. Strap a digital meter in paralel with the original gauge to check its reading for accuracy.
Speedometer is easy.. just hook up the speedo cable to the speedometer, and chuck the other end of the cable into a cordless drill and spin it about 300-500 rpm.
Not sure how you'd test oil pressure.. short of connecting an air hose to the back of the gauge and putting a known amount of pressure into it.
an idea is only stupid if you think about it rationally.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | might be a good idea,, then you will know for sure that IRWIPI 
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 332 Big Bolt Shop Curmudgeon | | Big Bolt Shop Curmudgeon Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 332 | Joker, IRWIPI? YOU!!!!! YOU parked Mike's truck?
Drivin' down a 2 lane country road in a stovebolt.....cowboy, it don't get no better than this!
1946 1-1/2 ton Chevy
"Ol Blue", or "THE BIG 'UN"
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