The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Its been sitting for a year

I've been overseas for a year, and my poor old truck has been sitting outside, mostly neglected. Does anyone have any advise on what to do before I start it up and drive it regularly again? I didn't do anything to prep it for its hibernation as I had to leave in a hurry. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Check the tech tips...

I'm sure someone will be along to help with this, but I wonder if Kevin Pennell's tech tip on waking up your sleeping giant will help any.

Peg

Stovebolt63 Welcome back to the Bolt! The only thing that I would be worried about would be the carb. That it might have become gummed up. However, if it were me I would disconect the fuel line to the carb. Place it in a bottle, crank the engine. This will make sure that you have fuel up to the carb. Reconnect, and then pour a little fuel from bottle into carb and try to start. After that take it for a short drive around the block. She if there is any obvious issues. If not enjoy, but if there are just take care of them on at a time and before you know it that old truck will be running a good as before.

Oh and so I don't forget, Thank you!

I had a '66 C-30 with a 250 that sat for 4 1/2 years, and it only took 20 minutes to get it running.

Depending on your climate, valves that are open can let mositure in and rust can develop on the cylinder walls.

My hack shade tree mechanic methods for firing up a engine that hasnt run in awhile are as follows:

#1: Dump a bunch of fresh gas in the tank
#2: Pull the plugs, clean 'em off.. and shoot some WD40 down the holes
#3: Drain the engine oil, and fill it up with fresh stuff.
#4: Take the fuel line off the carb as described in an earlier responce, make sure fuel is getting up to the carb.
#5: Hook the fuel line back up, squirt a little starting fluid or gas in the carb, and fire it up.

If it won't start.. check the usual suspects.. gunky rotor or cap, points, dry rotted plug wires, mouse eaten wires to the coil, that sort of thing.

Fumblin's got some great tips.

We always were told to pull the plugs and send some oil down there before trying to start a sleeper. Then, build up some oil pressure before you actually let it turn over.

Good luck and welcome home.

This would make a great tech tip of someone(s) willing to take it on.

Waking up a sleeper!

Anyone game?

Peg

These are all good tips but you will have to charge or replace the battery first.

My tips were for an engine thats sat for about a year.. if it's sat longer, simply dumping a bunch of fresh gas in the tank probably isn't a good idea.. if its sat any length of time with no gas cap, or if it's sat with a gas cap on it for more than 2 years, I reccomend flushing the tank before sending any of that fuel to your carb.

My tip about changing the oil is mostly so you have some sort of lube up in the top of the motor (the fresh oil will lube stuff on the way down to the pan) since motors that have sat for awhile tend to get mighty dry up there twards the top.

The truth is, in most of the 6's in old chevy trucks, a fresh battery, some WD40 down the cylinders, and some gas in the carb is all you need to get 'em running.

With every 6 I wake up after a 20+ year slumber, i'm always amazed at how well they spring back to life... but it isn't just chevys.

That flathead 6 - 230cid motor in that '52 Dodge 1/2 ton I bought for my Dodge freak father in law was the same story.. little gas in the carb, some fresh plugs and wires, new battery cables and a fresh battery, and she fired right up.. and that truck hasnt been running since 1971!

Ok, ok.. so it needs a fuel pump.. but thats probably the reason the old guy quit driving it in the first place.

These engines were made to last, and to be strong. They were made by folks proud to build them, by folks who worked hard because it was the only way they knew how to work.

Todays junk is made by a bunch of UAW whinebags who grouse about paid time off and anual raises.. and the car companies are more concerned with getting you to buy a new truck every few years than they are making 'em last.

Todays trucks are built so you need a PHD in electrical engineering and several thousand dollars worth of special tools and testers.. yesterdays trucks were built so a farmer could do most of the repairs himself with little more than a crecent wrench and a shade tree. (shade tree optional)

Ok.. thats my rant for the day.

Dont forget to put some Marvel Mystery oil down the spark plug holes so the cylinders wont be dry on start up

I would just charge the battery and throw 5 gallons of fresh gas in the tank and go for it. A year isn't very long, I've brought them back after sitting for close to thirty years. My snowmobile sat for two years because we didn't get any snow one winter. It fired right up the next year just like it was supposed to,
Scott

Thanks to all for the sage advice,

I got home last night, and got a first look at my truck today, in the daylight. I have some work to do, flat tire, dead battery, etc. I wouldn't have thought to put some oil into the cylinders... again, good advice. The tech link helped too. I am on a pass, and am going to enjoy the time with my family, won't get to it until next week sometime. I'll post again, with more questions, I'm sure. Thanks to all for the great site.

Spend the time with the family the truck will wait. As I say to my wife when she says "why havent you worked or your truck lately?" I am letting it Appreciate some more! LOL

We will be here when you are ready.

Stovebolt63

Might be worth the time to check the coolant and the fluid in the master cylinder before you take her for a spin.