The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Getting it started for 1st time since '75

Ok, tomorrow is the big day for my '53 3800 Flatbed. I have had it for about a month and have been de-rusting parts and accumulating new parts to install. My buddy is coming over tomorrow and I am going to assist him (and hopefully learn some things)with many installations. We are putting in a new oil pump, fuel pump, water pump, alternator, alternator bracket,battery w/cables, thermostat, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, spark plugs, plug wires, and a new fan belt.

He says we can do it all in one day and hopefully start it for the first time in 34 years. We will see and I will let you all know tomorrow night how it goes.

Thanks,
Curtis

photobucket.com/huthip3800

Make sure you don't get any stale gas in it. It will cause valves to hang open and can do serious damage. I always use a gas can with a hose on it with a hose on it and suspend it about 2 feet over the carb and connect it to the fuel line at the carb. This gives you about the correct pressure at the carb and assures fresh clean gas. If it starts, make sure you purge the tank and fuel lines. I don't mess with old fuel tanks. I buy repops. Good luck.

I appreciate the tip. That's why I have you all and my friend. He also had me buy a 2' piece of fuel line to do exactly what you said. At least now I have confidence in what he is telling me because I have no idea what I am doing.

Thanks again

All that in one day, better start before dawn.

We're optimistic, I have no idea how long it should take. I just want to hear it start, even if just for a few seconds. Let's just hope we don't hit any unexpected snags, yeah right!

I assume you can turn it by hand. Have you put oil in the cylinders? When you get the valve cover off turn it and make sure everything is moving as should, you dont want a stuck valve spoiling your day. Good luck!
Jeff

Yes, a couple of weeks ago my other teacher came over and got underneath and turned something. I watched the valves move and put oil down the cylinders. He said everything looked suprisingly good from down where he was at.

Thanks

What was it that he turned? I am curious as I am about at that stage...ha ha

I believe it was the flywheel, but I'm not sure.

Today we spent about 5 hrs. working on the truck. As some of you predicted, we did not get as far as planned. Couldn't get the old oil pump off, couldn't get oil pan back on. We did get the water pump, dist. cap, plugs, wires, and valve cover gasket on though. We also got the radiator out for me to clean.

Will get back at it sometime next week.

It was either the flywheel(requires removal of the flywheel cover or plate) or the bottom pulley on the engine, which from my experience is very hard to turn under a 50 something year old truck. Also, huthip, if you ever get frustrated with this project, just remember this. I'm 14, and in one year(with countless offers of help through this site, I wouldn't even have my truck in my yard right now if it wasn't for the generous and caring people here) I have gotten my '54 running, stopping, and basically road worthy minus the rot out on the floor boards. My truck had sat since '88 when the brakes failed, so if a 14 year old with limited access to tools can do it, you can!

JDL, that doesn't apply to just huthip. It applies to ALL of us. Thanks for reminding me.

I knew you were a bright young man

Okay, I stand corrected. If a 14 year old can do this, anyone can!

Hey Jordan, after 10+ years serving as a scoutmaster I can tell you without a doubt, not too many 14 year olds could do it. Congratulations on your persistence.

Thanks guys. Huthip, you mention that you are putting in an alternator and the necessary bracket. Does this mean that you are converting your truck to a 12 volt system or did someone already convert it so you are putting on a new one? If you are converting it, you could possibly burn up some of the electrical components if you flick on a switch, if they even work after 30 years. (sorry mods if this is getting too far into something that should be covered elsewhere)

It's already been converted, just putting in a new alt.

Thanks

Ok.