Thread: starting a 360 thats been parked for years

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I was given a F600 dump truck by a good friend of the family. Long story short, the trucks been sitting for atleast 8-10 years. So what all would you guys advise for me to check or do before I see if this thing will run. The guy claims the old "it was running when I parked it" story, but you know how that goes. Im gonna do the usual, oil change and prelube prior to turning it over, prolly clean the carb, flush the cooling system, fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor guts, what else? I would rather not pull the engine for a complete overhaul, mainy cause of the budget, but I will if I have to. Id like get it running, see what it needs, valve seals, gaskets, etc and go from there. Then I have to evaluate the rest of the truck systems, hydraulics, brakes, electrical. But one thing at a time.

Think I would pull the plugs and see if it turns over before sticking money into it. It should turn over right away. And if so, then continue with the plugs and the rest of your ideas. I usually squirt some oil into the cylinders first. If it doesn't turn over right away, you might want to take it apart. Just my thought.

Originally Posted by Trjohn57

Think I would pull the plugs and see if it turns over before sticking money into it. It should turn over right away. And if so, then continue with the plugs and the rest of your ideas. I usually squirt some oil into the cylinders first. If it doesn't turn over right away, you might want to take it apart. Just my thought.

I agree, that was my first thought, too. I'd do as John says and see what you're dealing with, and I wouldn't think a pre-lube is necessary. New oil, water in the radiator, crank it, see if it turns, and depending on how the plugs look use'em or throw in a new set for grins and see if it starts. Once running you can decide what it needs before buying a bunch of parts. Kind of depends on your long term plan for the dumper - use it as a work truck or playing with it?

See if it turns over and has fire----use some starting fluid to see if it will start--if it starts ok then you can shut it down and do oil/filter change, rebuild the carb--motorcraft 2v?---and if its points dist, change points/plugs/wires

it's gonna be a farm truck. Gravel, topsoil, trash, firewood truck. Always wanted a dumptruck. i have a M35 but it's just a cargo truck, so it gets old shoveling 5-6 tons of whatever out of it so a dump will be nice....if it runs. maybe ill have time to piddle with it this weekend. thanks for the advice guys.