Classic/Antique Car Repair: 53 ford pickup, oil pressure gauge, spark plug wires

Question
I have a 53 ford pickup which i'm tring to restore. Its been seeting on my grandma's yard for about 15 years. It's there any advice you can give me how how to get this old truck's engine started?

Answer
After sitting that long, it would be a big mistake to crank the engine over - since the grit in the bottom of the oil pan would be pumped all through the engine oil system, leading to rapid failure of the bearings.   

You should drop the oil pan and clean it out before you try to move the engine at all.  While you have the pan off, disassemble the clean out the oil pump and the pickup screen, and squirt everything you can see from under the engine with engine oil.   

Then remove the spark plugs and put oil in each hole.   

Now take off the bearing caps and check the main and rod bearing clearances with plasti-gauge - and replace any that are more than .002 too large.  When you assemble the new bearing inserts, be sure to lubricate every moving part.  

Then you are ready to try to move the engine.  Use a large screwdriver or brake adjusting tool to pry against the flywheel.   Go just a little at a time, squirting oil up into the cylinder bores before each move.  If you can turn the crankshaft two complete revolutions, then you are ready to start the engine.  

Put the pan back up, fill the crankcase, and then run the engine on the starter until the oil pressure gauge shows some oil pressure.  Then you can do a complete ignition tune up, with new points, condensor, rotor, distributor cap, coil and spark plug wires and spark plugs.  

Now you are ready to see if it will run.  While you are cranking the engine, have someone put an ounce or two of gas down the top of the carburetor.  Stand back, because you might get a belch of flame back out of the carburetor.  If the engine is going to run, it will start now, at least for a second or two.  It if does, get the carburetor rebuilt and buy a new fuel pump, and when those are installed, the truck will run.  

You'll probably have to replace the water pumps, and get the fuel system cleaned out, including the gas tank, but at least now you know the engine runs and you can pay attention to the clutch, transmission etc.

Good Luck!

Dick.