Ran when parked 70 years ago?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Ran when parked 70 years ago?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Stewart -Calif. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 11:46 pm:

I am looking at another T Roadster to work on. A 1916.I found an engine but I'm not sure if the engine would need a lot of work though. Below is part of the description in the ad for the engine.

Ad States.....
(I recently got this with a group of parts, was told that it ran 70 years ago when removed and has been in the barn ever since. It has a date of 5-9-16 and serial number 124-1846. I check to so if it was frozen up and to my suprize it turn over very smoothly.)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 11:57 pm:

I don't know why there's a dash in the serial number, but that number says Friday, May 12, 1916. They didn't waste any time between casting and assembly.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 07:30 am:

I helped a guy get one running that had been sitting about that long. He rigged up a battery, a lawn mower fuel tank and adapted some pool hose to the engine and a water spigot for a cooling system (Radiator had been removed). I loaned him a Holley NH and a set of coils. This is no lie. After 3-4 priming pulls (Actually, I didn't realize the battery wasn't connected.:-)), it sputtered and ran a couple of seconds on the first pull with the battery connected. A couple of pulls later, we had it running and didn't shut it off for 20-30 minutes. It idled down very low. Probably less than 300 rpm. It ran great. So yeah, they can be revived after sitting for a long time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 07:58 am:

If it turns and the valves aren't stuck, it should run. But "run" is a broad term. It may sound like a thrashing machine or a planishing hammer with knocking rods and mains. Not to mention burning more oil than gas. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 08:09 am:

Often there was a reason for removing an engine..
Hopefully it was just worn out bands - since the bands would be rotted anyway, sitting in an engine for that long.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 08:14 am:

Remember to change the old crack prone two piece Ford valves when you've got the head off for service - they seems to crack more often now than back in the day? I guess it has to do with corrosion on the stems right where the head is crimped on - metal fatigue leads to a crack faster when there's some surface damage like corrosion.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 09:13 am:

When my friend bought his barn find '14 Roadster, it came with a 1914 engine that had been sitting outside for years and was stuck. The engine that was in it was a 1918 that turned over nicely, but hadn't run in about 65 years. I was able to get that engine running, and it wound up being a great runner!

As for the 1914 engine, we decided to take it apart and see what it would take to get it running. First off, everything inside was covered in sludge, which is a good thing, as it preserves the metal. Much to our surprise, everything was immaculate. It was clearly a VERY low mileage engine with lots of life left in it. The only reason we can figure as to why it was stuck was because someone overtightened all the bearings, and rather than tearing it down again and fixing it, they just swapped the engine out for another one!

But do watch out for those two piece valves.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Wicker on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 10:40 am:

My 21 had been siting for at least 60 years.
With 4 fresh coils,new wires,rebuilt car...she fired right away! Found I dident have enought gas in the tank to keep her running.
The First start is on Youtube.
Just type my name in to find it. Fred Wicker
Yea I abused the starter. She now fires up time u hit the starter.
last week I started another T that had been sitting from 1980!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:35 pm:

If you remember the 26 T that I hauled in it had been parked since 45.I got it running rather easy and went thru the gears with broken spokes just a spinning.
These things are tough .


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