The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What I need to get the motor running...

Okay guys... this is my first time to try to get one of these puppies running on my own. The motor is a 1948 216 with a Rochester carb. It last ran about 15 to 20 years ago. What steps do I need to take to get her going? I know I need to clean out the gas tank and lines and clean or get new points. I have also been told to replace the fuel pump and get a new kit for the carb. Anything else I need to do? Thanks

Does it turn over by hand?

If so drain oil, drain old fuel from tank & drain coolant. Add new fluids. replace filters. check wiring. charge battery, turn key, step on foot starter. Did it start? if so great.

If it does not turn by hand, you'll need to do more checking, like pull plugs and look inside the cylinders. one of these helps with that, ProVision fiberoptic inspection scope.

[img]http://www.provision100.com/images/homeart/h_products.gif[/img]

Hey, no selling on the forum.

You may want to do a search on this as it has been covered many times.

What you have listed is a good start. You may want to pull the plugs, and squirt some oil in the cylinders, before you try to turn it over either by hand or with the starter.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Yes it does turn over by hand. When yall are saying to do all this, I still need to try the carburator kit and stuff also right?

You maybe able to get it running without the kit. But go ahead and get one (they arn't expensive) because you will need it at some point.

Okay, im going to try to get her running with out putting the new kit in the carb yet. I will purchase one sometime soon for future use. Im also going to pull the plugs and spray in some lubircant and make sure the electrical wiring is good. Does anyone have any tips for cleaning out the gas tank, line, fuel pump, and carb?

How much time / money do you want to spend on the tank?

You can check to see if one of the local radiator shops will boil out your tank. Or you can get yourself some misc nuts and bolts. Put them in the tank, once you have drained off any gas. Then roll the tank back and forth and end to end and clean the tank this way. This will take a lot longer. But it is cheaper!

Never tried this....but.....a tow truck driver I know...his dad ran a repair shop for years and years was into AD trucks....he told me put Pea Gravel...you know....the kind they put on the roads after the oil? Put pea gravel in the tank and agitate....Gotta use the bigger rocks that won't stay in the tank....Knocks all of the varnish and rust off.

Here in MN, small washed river rock pea gravel is quite common...not sure what they have in TX.

Thanks! I do have access to both the correct size pea gravel and bolts and nuts. I will try to see which works best for me. If I end up using the pea gravel I will let you know how it works out.

To get my engine running, I rigged a small - temporary tank. I used a 3 gallon, collapsible plastic container (wine makers use them). Just ran a tube thru the tank top (to the bottom of this 'tank') - and other end to the fuel pump.

This setup was fine for getting the motor going - once I was sure the motor was in decent shape - then I reworked the tank.

About tank rework - before putting anything abrasive into the tank (pea gravel, etc.) - pull the fuel sender and give the inside a good look. If the inside is decent, the gravel may do more harm than good.

I had a replacement tank was pretty clean - so I just pressure washed and then put some phosphoric acid in the tank and swished around.

I have used a 6 gallon outboard gas can in the bed. You can also squeeze the bulb in the line to prime the pump. My '48 has an under-bed gas tank so I just disconnected the metal line from the gas tank and hooked in some extra fuel line from the boat gas line.

This is also good if your fuel gauge doesn't work since you can look in the tank to see what you have.

Kyle, replace the condenser also. They go bad with time whether or not the engine has been running or just sitting.
Also, disconnect as many electrical connections in the ignition and starting circuits one by one and clean them and to be sure they hold up for a while, coat their surfaces with di-electric grease to prevent corrosion in the future. Make sure you have a good ground from battery to chassis.
Let us know what happens.
Jacques

Okay, thanks guys for yalls help. I have lots of work to do! Ill let yall know how things work out.