The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tech Tip Update - Spring!

We did an update for the winterizing your truck Tech Tip last year and it worked out great.

Now we have the Spring Tech Tip to review.

I added some new pictures, mostly from Homecoming 2015 since they were handy.

Let me know if there are some more tips we can add to this TT.



Peg

That's great Peggy!
The TT reads well and seems to cover everything. The only thing I do before starting the engine is take a screw driver to the radiator and fuel hose clamps. Sometimes they loosen up during hibernation.

Oh, that will be a good thing to add. I'll give this a week and see what else anyone comes up with.

Thanks!

Peggy,I read all the Springtime starting tips suggested and if possible,could I add just one more to the list?

This is just a personal preference of mine,I haven't done it for some time as my truck gets used all year but before start up after a long time stationary I prefer to crank the engine over with the high tension (coil) lead disconnected to lubricate and build oil pressure to all the engine's moving parts before adding a spark.

Over the weeks and possibly months of winter (depending on your location) the oil drains much more completely than if it were being started regularly,by doing this it ensures there is sufficient lubrication and oil pressure before the first start up.

As an example I had an issue with a VW engine many moons ago where the seal had stuck to the crankshaft due to the engine lying for some time.
During the first fire up,it tore and resulted in an oil leak behind the flywheel,it went un-noticed until it was too late,i.e. over 200 miles from home with the big ends gone......

Just my 2 cents worth.

John,

This is good. Since the original Spring TT was written in 2005, I thought there had to be some more things that people felt they needed to do with their old trucks before starting them up after sitting so long. Whether it be weather or just vacation.

2005 is over 10 years ago. Certainly there are a few things NEW we have figured out about these dear old pieces of iron.

Peg

Okay, got those comments added (I forgot to post). Now, I have started the ones for April.

Seems like some of us are having spring, some summer and some still are stuck in winter. We are expecting snow on Saturday. Really??? At least I am not stressed about weeds and bugs yet.

I did not know how to title this. But it is about reviving a 54 chevy 3100 6-cylinder after a short winter's nap. This is the longest it has sat in the winter. It is in a climate-controlled garage. But I drove it today for the first time in about 2 months. It had some hiccups at first, A little reluctant to accept the throttle. Hesitated then kept going. Do you think some fuel treatment would clean things up or would I just be throwing money away? I plan on taking it on a 6-hour round-trip drive and I want it to run as well as possible.

Fue; additives actually do work to clean gunk from the fuel system. I've used several different ones including everybody's favorite, Marvel Mystery Oil.

I'd use a can of carb/choke cleaner and heavily spray every orifice on the carb. Spray down the throat, etc.

A few years ago I researched fuel system cleaners in order to revive my brother's motorcycle which had been sitting for years.

The primary chemical used to break down varnish and crud in fuel systems is a name I can't remember. Suffice to say that it works and the products that have it in the greatest concentration are;

Redline, Techron , and Lucas

I've used Redline with good results running it at a higher concentration than the bottle says when starting up a a Mustang that sat for 15 years.


Lucas Oil: LUC10013
Red Line: 60103

Well dang, Ron ... for as long as you've been here, you must have seen the regular "News corner" spot about getting on the road again. The Getting ready for Spring" Tech Tip has some of my favorite pictures. Oh, and some good advise.

Maybe it's time to put that info in the News Corner again. (Thanks! I was wondering what to put there next. )

Check for mouse damage on wires while you’re under the hood.

DESS57, that can not be ruled out but I have never had a rodent problem in either of my garages. I took it for another run about an hour ago and it seemed the electrical shut off before the engine. The radio quit then the engine momentarily died then started up on its own. I was running at 35 mph in town. SORRY Peggy, never saw it.

Check all your battery connections for corrosion and tightness. Check all the wires on the dizzy especially the negative wire going to the points. Check the generator wires and belt tension, too.

You might also have a bad ignition switch. Check the wires to that as well. Does the key fit in there nice and tight and does it turn on and off nice and solid?

Peggy those are some great shots of some great events of days gone by. That fire truck sure would like to burn hair when tuning...........

Otto, Last night when I was thinking that the same thing happened in the last 20 years but it quit completely at a stop sign. People were nice enough to stop and some offered to tow it home, about 3 miles. But I have had overnight to remember how I got it started. Just think I was only 60 years old back then.

So what did the problem turn out to be back then?

It's 2023 and resurrecting this thread again! May have some new ideas for the "On the Road Again" Tech Tip. (Since it's in the News Corner!)

(Looks like we in Maryland - and a lot of the US - are getting or about to get some of that old winter stuff... SNOW, and then some. Again, on Saturday. Incredible!)

Otto, I have racked what brain I have left, and the only thing I remember it was something under the dash. I remember thinking why did I not check that sooner? I have a switch for the auxiliary fuel pump under the dash and another that I have forgotten what it is for, that one rarely gets used. See you made have to get up and check it out. Auxiliary radiator fan. I may go to the same spot, I do remember where that is.

Here she goes, Ron. You inspired the News Corner here!

Who know that dirty fella there?