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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2022 Posts: 45 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2022 Posts: 45 | I have recently bought a 51 GMC 350-24 that has a 302 in it…
It has been parked for I’m assuming 50 years…
- still has oil in it.
- turns over easily (only moved a few degrees to avoid scratching cylinders but check for freedom of movement.
My plan is to:
-pull the valve cover and hit all the rockers with penetrating oil
- replace (if needed) condenser and set points
-new coil
-new plugs and wires
- some light oil in each cylinder
- change oil
-pour oil into oil filter canister
- remove water pump/fan/generator belt
Then I plan to Turn over by hand a few rotations, and if everything looks free give it some gas and see if it’ll run…
If she runs and sounds viable, I’ll rebuild the carb and see if it will run without being hand fed… and then throw the accessories back on and put coolant in once it’s closer to ready to try to move under its own power…
Any other suggestions? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 173 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 173 | Regarding the light oil in each cylinder, I suggest using a little automatic transmission oil and let it soak at least one day before trying to fire it up.
Besides lubricating the cylinder walls, the ATF will seep into the rings and help loosen them.
Set up your camera to video the start up attempt! The first time firing in over 30 years only happens once!
Fingers crossed, Dean | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | Give the lifters a soak too. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 | DO NOT put gas into the onboard fuel tank. Use a remote tank like one for an outboard boat motor, etc. Fresh gas will dissolve all sorts of crud left over from decades-old gasoline, which will end up in the valve guides. The next time you try to start the engine, you'll probably bend a bunch of pushrods and/or rocker arms, or even hit the stuck valves with the pistons. It's a chronic problem on Chevy engines, and probably the same thing will happen on a GMC.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2021 Posts: 157 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2021 Posts: 157 | The one thing I always do is turning the oil pump with a drill till I got oil at the rockers.
Frank | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 | There is a Tech Tip for reviving a sleeping engine that has allot of good tips. Here is a [LINK].
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,443 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,443 | -pour oil into oil filter canister Because this is a bypass filter you don't need to do this to get oil pressure to build quicker, but it will drop oil onto the distributor gear where it meshes with the camshaft.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Make sure to oil the valve stems frequently just before startup!
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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