46 Chevy truck sat for 5 years....

Hey guys. I need to ask for some advice

My Dad p***ed away and left me his 1946 Chevy Truck. We restored it together 28 years ago and he wanted me to have it. After a very emotional period I found the strength to go out to the old barn and pull it out to see what I'm up against.

It's been sitting for 5 years. Before that he has started and ran it every single year. Cancer caused the 5 year period of doing nothing otherwise the truck always ran perfect.

Anyhow. I opened up the gas cap and it stinks of lacquer. I'm not sure what to expect but I want to start it. Anybody have a check list of possible items I should check/do before attempting to start it?

I should probably pull the plugs and squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in. I was thinking I should turn it over to get the oil pressure up before putting the plugs in. The carburetor might be gummed up also.

Below are some photos. This truck was restored "old school" before parts were available in catalogs. Brings back good memories hanging out with the old truck. My Dad and I spent years digging through salvage yards finding parts. Looking forward to working on it with my son.

Thanks for any advice you have.

 

Sounds like you have a good plan already. Good Luck

 

I'd hook up some fresh gas to it (disconnecting the line to the tank!), install a fresh battery, pour a bit of fuel in the carb and start it. Double-check all of your fluids first, of course.

The fuel in the tank is ****. You'll want to pump it out with a siphon, or with an electric fuel pump and a five-gallon can, and get rid of it as you deem fit.

 

drop a 283 in it

 

i would try and not get to carried away with taking things apart, the gas tank might have been run dry, or the gas could still be ok if mixed with some fresh gas, you might have to clean the points some, a couple months back i pulled a camper van out of a barn that had been sitting for 20 years, a battery and gas in the tank, a little gas down the carb and it fired right up, runs like a top, my 45 GMC sat outside for almost 4 years and all it needed was the points cleaned, it has a plastic tank, a 4X4 that sat in my yard for over 2 years ran pretty good on the old gas, i did install a new fuel filter, so my point is sometimes less is more, i think with yours i'd pull the gas line off and see what comes out, if it looks not bad then just add a little fresh gas, make sure you have a fuel fliter, hook up a battery and pour a little gas down the cab and see if she runs.

 

If it hasn't been started in 5 years, did I read that right, I'd some how pre-oil it, if nothing more that pull the plugs lube the cylinders, disconnect the coil wire and spin it over to get some oil up on the bearings. I'd then drain the fuel and try to lite it up.
You should have a good time with it a lot of memories I bet!
Don't do like I did and sell it I kick myself everytime I see a car like the old man had!

 

You and the other guys pretty much got it covered but I just want to say cool truck and barn !

 

I would pull the plugs and spray some PB Blaster or your oil in the cylinders as some surface rust may have formed on the cylinder walls from sitting. Intake & exhaust valves will have been open to moisture and your barn doesn't look climate controlled. Better safe than to risk breaking a ring first time starting. I would also run a seperate can of gas until you clean out what you have sitting in the tank otherwise you may just resign yourself to a carb rebuild. Nice truck, enjoy it.

 

Drain the old gas out of the tank. Hook up an elec pump as suggested. Put fresh gas back in the tank. The carb is probably going to be gummed up a bit, but should be good enough to get it started and running. Pull the plugs and shoot some oil in the cylinders. Crank it over as you plan with no plugs. This should also help get gas up to the fuel pump. Install plugs, sandpaper on the points, some gas down the carb and hopefully it should fire up.

Brakes may or may not need work. Depending on how new they were when it was stopped driving. Nice truck you have and a special reminder of your Dad.

BTW, the old gas you take out the best way to get rid of it is to just put a couple gallons per tank in the truck or your other vehicles to burn it up.

 

Thanks guys

We don't own the barn but it is cool. My Dad has other cars that we are going to sell because it's just too much. The truck will never be sold.

I need to sell his 40 Chevy 2dr Master Deluxe. It's very clean and very original. Not sure what to do with it but he's owned that for 25 years and it's always been inside. We also have a 64 Impala SS convertible. Pretty rust free and totally solid. Black paint, white top, silver interior.

Parts galore!

It's hard to go through it because it meant a lot to him. He loved old cars. He was a great father and great human being. Always helped anybody he could. It's hard to let go of some of his possessions.

 

Nuts!

 

lol

I like the 283's, they were great engines. I'm gonna stick with the 216 inline. LOVE the inlines!

Butch

 

I'd do everything you mentioned plus check for dirt daubers blocking up holes , vermin that might have chewed into wires or hoses and inside the distributor for infestation or corrosion .

 

Thats an awesome story.
Dont do anything you'll regret in 5 years.
Its hard to figure now, but I'd find a way to retain the convertable.

 

I think you can get under the truck and disconnect the fuel line and let it drain,do not run it with that gas as it will stick the valves. I have used gas that was about 20 years old before but it was made back when good gas was made and any gas made in the last 10 years does not last too long.

 

The best part.

 

The gas tank on this truck should have a drain plug in the bottom of it.I would start by draining the fuel and see what comes out and then flush if possible.
I don't know what part of WI you are from but if you need help or parts i would be glad to help you out. I am kind of the 39-46 truck guy in the area.I own about 10 of them and a van body full of parts.

 

Oconomowoc,in Waukesha county.

 

Look forward to seeing the truck running around the area this summer, I'm right down the road in Delafield!

 

Cool truck and I am sorry about your Dad, I have lots of goof times with mine and its sad to hear about anyone loosing theirs.

 

I'm in Delafield a couple times a week. If you see me flag me down so you can hop in and go for a spin.

 

I am in portage if you need any thing let me know.

 

I will!!

There was a truck just like that at the Delafield car show the last 2 years...

 

Yeah. That guy is located in Pabst Farms subdivision. I live real close to him but have never met the man. He has a very nice truck.

Butch

 

Same as everybody else, pull the plugs, wd-40 or marvel mystery oil in the cylinders, use a breaker bar to turn it over. Once you have it spinning free, new plugs, prime the carb, fresh fuel and give her hell!! Great truck, don't sell it. Drive it often, they need less work when they get regular use. If your interested, I'd love TONS of pics of it. Keith

 

did you get the truck running yet?

 

I wish my 46 Chevy 3/4ton looked that good!

 

Butch, sorry for your loss and good luck getting your truck running again. Everyone's covered most of it...just make sure you pop those valves loose with some PB blaster / penetrating oil and lube up the pushrods & cylinders good. Bent 2 pushrods on our '47 trying to take the lazy way out. Pulled it, lubed it and it was good to go.

Its good to hear you're keeping the truck and its staying in the family. That means so much when you have a piece of your Dad that can live on & you can preserve.

 

did you ever get this truck running?

 

I never cared much for the '46 Chevrolet truck.

Cool truck and your dad would be proud you're bringing her back around!