QuestionQUESTION: Hi Jack,
My dad and I pulled our old Model A out of storage the other day and are trying to get it started. It ran fine before it went in storage with no problems. It has been in storage for around 15 years. There was no gas or water in it so we checked to make sure there was no rust and filled those up after a little cleaning. We hooked up some jumper cables to the battery and the horn and lights work. When we try to start it, it tries to crank the engine but just makes a big clicking sound. We think it's seized up from being in storage for so long. We didn't have a lot of time to mess with it so I am doing some research. I thought maybe we could pour a quart of fresh oil in to run it through the engine to try and lube it up but not sure if that would work. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks
Tom
ANSWER: I just answered this, but I lost it. If you get two, that is why.
Remove the plugs, put a little oil in each cylinder, put car in third any try to push it to turn over the engine. Let me know how you make out.
Also, go to blurb.com, and search for jackbahm. I just put my latest book on there. There is some info in there that will help you. You don't have to buy the book. You can see it all on line.
Good luck
Jack
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Jack,
Do we need to use a special type of oil or can I just pour 5W-30 in there and call it good?
Thanks
Tom
ANSWER: Yes, that oil is OK.
jack
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Jack,
Ok so I got the plugs out and poured some oil down in the cylinders and even sprayed WD40 in there and let it sit. It is still stuck when it tries to turn the engine over. It keeps clicking hard from trying to turn the engine but it is still just stuck hard. I checked the oil. It is black but there is plenty in there. I also tried hand cranking it and it won't budge. So now I am lost again.
AnswerI guess you can't push it while in gear like I suggested. You are doing all the right things. The fact that it won't turn with the hand crank sure indicates that it is bound up. You could try a squirt of liquid wrench on top of each piston. That stuff is good. If you could rock it in third gear, that would put the most torque on the crank shaft. Assuming the clutch is ok. Give it some time with the oil in there, and if it still will not break loose, I guess you will have to pull the head and pan. That is a big job. If it ran 15 yrs ago, it should not take a lot to get it going. If you can get it to turn over, I bet it would run.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Wish I could help you push it.
Let me know how you make out.
Jack
Tom, I thought of another thing you can try. Remove the floor boards and take off the inspection plate on the bell hsg. You will see the clutch pressure plate. Take a large screwdriver or crobar and try to turn the pressure plate. Make sure the gear is in neutral. Now don't break anything, but get between tow strong points and try to turn it. You have a lot of leverage from this point, and it might break loose.
jack
