The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Bringing a stovebolt back from the dead

Hello, I recently bought 2 1954 chevrolet cars (i know they are not trucks, but you guys are the god of stovebolts) anways the cars have been sitting in a field since the 60's and are pretty bad. My question is how to i get the motor back from the dead without pulling it out for an overhaul. I've goot the stuff to haul out the motor but i'm broke so i can't buy new pistons/etc.... so whats my first move on these cars? any tips to unfreeze pistons etc?

Thanks

links/suggestions anyone?

Pull the plugs, put in some Marvel Mystery Oil. Let set a few days and then see if the engine will turn over. If they are standard shift go underneath and take the flywheel cover off and get a BIG screw driver or pry bar. Put it between the bellhousing and into the flywheel teeth and gently work it back and forth. If it doesn't free up that way then some more marvel oil and pentetratiing oil added to the cylinder and let set.

While this is settling I'd be draining any fluids that are left like the oil (but don't put any new in until you get the engine free. Need to go ahead and drain the gas tank even though I would not put any gas in the tank to try start it. Stick a rubber hose into a gas can and to the inlet side of the fuel pump. (If the fuel pump don't send gas to the carb then the diaphram is bad......but you can still put some gas in a squirt bottle and try to start it...just be VERY CAREFUL.
New plugs would sure help along with a peek at the points to make sure no corrosion is on the points.
Take the battery cables loose and make sure the ends are clean especially where it gounds to the chassis/body.

OR you can just hook a chain to it and drag it down the road with someone sitting on the fender squirting gas in the carburetor NO NO NO....just kidding don't do that

Treat it like it is a truck engine! Good luck....maybe you can trade the two for a pickup?

what did I forget guys?? I forgive him for not having a truck

Welcome, just wanted to warn you that 99.9% of the time these old engines will come back to life, but will still need some major mechanical work. I've had good luck with 216's but all my 235's smoked after bringing them back to life. I would also suggest pouring oil over the rockers/lifters, cause if there stuck you will bend the pushrods. Fresh fuel, cleanup the points/plugs, you may have to pull the plugs 2-3 times to clean them from all the oil. A strong battery especially a 12 volt on a 6 volt starter will kick it over. You may want to pour oil over the rockers for about a week before you try to turn it over, and I assume you know it turns over easier without the plugs in provided it has any compression.

www.kanolabs.com

Kroil is the best penetrating oil, bar none, for freeing up stuck engines. Pull the spark plugs, pour 3 or 4 ounces into each cylinder, reinstall the plugs, and wait about a week. Pull the oil pan drain plug, and you'll get almost all the Kroil out of the pan. It crawls right through the rust. Do that a few times, then put a long pry bar on the flywheel, and rock the engine back and forth until you can get a full turn out of it. You'll still probably have to do a valve job before it's over, but barring major rust pits in the cylinders, you might not have to pull the pistons and hone the cylinders.
Jerry

This may seem like a "no-brainer", but when you get ready to crank it over, don't trust the clutch or the shifter, make absolutley positive it is out of gear and the wheels are blocked and chocked. Old gooey oil in the tranny can do some suprising things...

American Lead - Here is a test I did a few years ago about unsticking pistons. FYI

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...l&topic=0&Search=true#Post215167

Builder

My 1950 Chevrolet 3600 with a 216 had been sitting for some 30 years when I bought it. After bringing it home and beginning work I discovered the block was cracked (check it over carefully especially on the manifold side if you live where it gets cold). After determining I needed a new engine I pulled the old one and began selling parts on Ebay. I too had poured oil in at first and attempted to turn the engine over before discovering the crack. I found all the cylinders to be free but one which was rusted solid. Oil and turning had no effect it was so solid I had to drive it out with a hammer and the top of the piston separated. I guess my advice check carefully and give the oil time to do its work. On the other five you could see it had penetrated and gone down the bore.

Also if the pistons give a hint that they will move stop at that point remove the valve cover and make sure there are no stuck valves before the motor is turned over. Any valves stuck shut will result in bent push rods. Any magic liquid poured in through the plug holes will wind up in the crankcase.

Hi Thank you all so much for giveing me the advice i needed. I'll be getting the cars next month with any luck I have to get my full licence first because i have to cut them out of where they are. Thanks for helping a non-truck guy, This is a very nice website, and i'll be back to bother you with a few more questions yet (lol) Thanks for shareing your knowledge... Someday i'll have to buy me a truck .

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I'm hopeing to get it back running by the summer

Wish me luck and thanks for the remedies.... I owe yous one,
All the best,
Robert