Thread: 1957 235 1st start in 12 years

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I am preparing to start a 235 straight six in a friends 57 pickup. It has been sitting for 12 years. Parked because tranny mounts went and motor punched radiator. I pulled the plugs, squirt wd40. sit for a day. Pulled the radiator to be replaced. Changing oil and filter. Poured a little oil in cylinders. Rotated motor 2 revolutions by hand no plugs in it. On this motor how do I prime the oil system? Anyone have a list of things I should do before starting it? Should I treat it like a new motor and run it for awhile when I first start or is that not so important? Can I fire it up for a few seconds without a radiator? I would like to know it might run before spending for a radiator.

Originally Posted by dobies

I am preparing to start a 235 straight six in a friends 57 pickup. It has been sitting for 12 years. Parked because tranny mounts went and motor punched radiator. I pulled the plugs, squirt wd40. sit for a day. Pulled the radiator to be replaced. Changing oil and filter. Poured a little oil in cylinders. Rotated motor 2 revolutions by hand no plugs in it. On this motor how do I prime the oil system? Anyone have a list of things I should do before starting it? Should I treat it like a new motor and run it for awhile when I first start or is that not so important? Can I fire it up for a few seconds without a radiator? I would like to know it might run before spending for a radiator.

Put some fresh oil and gas in it and crank it...By the time it hits the oiling system will be primed up...I'd go ahead and shoot the carb full of WD40 too..might slow down the start but it will help in the long run.

If there was any fuel left in the tank, lines, pump or carb, expect it to be jelly and cause you problems.

Spin it over with the plugs out. That'll get the oil flowing. Do it in bursts so the starter doesn't get too hot. It's OK to run it for ten seconds or so with no rad, or you can farmer-fix a hose from the top outlet down to the bottom connection and fill it with water.

Thanks guys, I was thinkin I would bypass the Fuel tank and use a clean five gallon can for the first startup, at least eliminate additional contamination in the lines until I know what the tank is like. I have a 65 mustang radiator laying around. I think I will try the farm fix it to run for now with that, why not. I was also thinkin I could pull the valve cover and pour oil all over the top (wont hurt anyway right). Hoping to surprise the friend with a runner, his wife is in on it but he has no clue. He might shoot me if I damage her. My biggest concern is whether I should try to prime aside from cranking. Does not sound like it is necessary as long as I get it primed before it actually fires up. Sound right?

I am new to this forum so forgive me if I am misusing. I tried the quick reply and did not see my post trying again. I am planning to fire with a five gallon can to bypass the tank until I know whats in it. At least reduce line contamination from there ( thanks for the warning ). I was thinking open valve cover and pour oil up there ( figure cant hurt ). I have a 65 mustang radiator I think I will try the farm fix thing with that then I could run for a bit. ( ugly or not ). Trying for a runner to surprise the owner. His wife is in on it but he isn't. I don't want to hurt her. So is the consensus I don't need to prime before cranking?

I am new to this forum so forgive me if I am misusing. I tried the quick reply and did not see my post trying again. ( someone set me straight on how this works - trying advanced now ) I am planning to fire with a five gallon can to bypass the tank until I know whats in it. At least reduce line contamination from there ( thanks for the warning ). I was thinking open valve cover and pour oil up there ( figure cant hurt ). I have a 65 mustang radiator I think I will try the farm fix thing with that then I could run for a bit. ( ugly or not ). Trying for a runner to surprise the owner. His wife is in on it but he isn't. I don't want to hurt her. So is the consensus I don't need to prime before cranking?

So 65 mustang radiator "Farm Fix In". Motor oiled and turning over with starter no plugs. It has no oil pressure, should I expect some on cranking? Gas can in place bypassing the tank. Gas was tarnished but not jelly in line Lucky so far. Friend cant find key, Husband does not know we are doing this but might have to let cat out of bag. Really want opinion on if we should fire before oil pressure on cranking. Let me know.

Ok, Cranked and cranked no plugs no oil pressure. Finally found the keys. Put plugs in. Bypassed the fuel tank and went to five gallon fresh fuel. Fired and idles with a farm fix 65 mustang radiator in her OMG the surprise on the owners face when he heard her run. He did not know we were working on it

The gift is in the giving. Thanks for all of your's.

my posting about results disappeared. Spun with plugs out. Never got oil pressure so put plugs in. Bypassed the gas tank with a five gallon can. Fired up. Its running. 60psi oil pressure Farm fix with a 65 mustang radiator and some tie wraps.

Spun without the plugs and never got oil pressure so put the plugs back in. Farmer-fix with a 65 mustang radiator. Bypassed the fuel tank with a 5 gallon can. Boy was the owner surprised when she fired up. Got oil pressure and idled. Thanks y'all.