Starting an old engine?

Question

Hey guys,

I have an old 1963 ford falcon 250 6 cyl.

I have had it stored for about three years and I have not ever started the engine.

can anyone suggest the steps or a checklist I should go through before starting her up again?

Answer 1

just make sure it has all the basics that a car would

Answer 2

wow..make sure you can turn it over by hand..take the plugs out and make sure no water got into the engine.

Some guys spray "Marvel Mystery Oil" into the cylinders.That helps the rings to seal.

I don't know..it may start..that's the fun I guess..make sure there's oil in it. Shut it down if there's no oil pressure..

fresh gas and new plugs would be good.

good luck should be fun

Answer 3

new gas new oil check all hoses and wiring carb might need to be cleaned

Answer 4

Fully charge the battery or better yet, after 3 years, replace it. Check the oil and water. Turn engine over by hand. Put some fresh fuel down the carburettor. Try and start. If it starts and keeps stopping check the Fuel pump for fuel leaks. If its leaking underneath at the atmospheric balance hole the diapragm is torn, this can happen when it has not moved for a long time.

Answer 5

Check that your battery is fully charges and then try to turn the engine over. If it starts your in luck but if it don't start checking to make sure fuel is getting to the carbeurator,,, the points and condenser is good and the coil is ok. Also check to see that the battery cables are in good condition. You might also check to see that you have good gas in the tank.

Answer 6

Inspect the car for problems.

Inspect the motor mounts for significant rust.  Motors which fall out don't work so well.

Check all the belts and hoses.  They should be free of decay, and belts should be tight.  Replace any that are loose, show decay, or whatever.  Apply belt dressing to the belts.  They may need a little more flexibility.

Replace the oil.  It's probably no good anymore.  The viscosity is probably ok, but the anticorrosion package is exhausted.

Look at the tires.  Check for dry rot and cracking.  Replace if necessary

Check the transmission fluid.  You probably don't want to replace the transmission fluid.  New fluid may eat whatever gunk is protecting the seals.  

Check the plugs and cables.  Replace the distributor cap and points.  

Change the fuel filter.

Consider changing the gasoline.  It may have gone bad by now unless you put a stabilizer in it.  Add drygas to the gas tank.  There is probably water in the gas by now.

Check the radiator.  Replace the coolant.  The anticorrision package has probably worn out.

Check the battery voltage.  It has probably self discharged. If it is below about 9-10 volts get a new one.  Charge the battery to 13.8 V.  

Check the exhaust system for holes and such.  There is nothing like carbon monoxide poisoning to ruin your drive.  

Replace the air filter.

After those checks.  Give it a few short tries with a few moments between each to allow the starter to cool down.  Don't keep cranking it.  There is no sense in burning out the starter motor or wearing the battery down.  You may need to add a little starting fluid to the carbeurator.  In the  old days we'd just put a little bit of gas straight into the carbeurator (then move away from it), wait a minute and start the engine.  Note that "a little bit" is an ounce or two.  

Before I did any of this, I'd wander over to the local auto parts store and buy "Chiltons" book on your car.  

Good luck.