Starting a Hudson after long storage

mars55

I recently bought a '49 Commodore Six coupe. It is in great shape, but it was in long term storage and not run for over ten years. The brakes were frozen and I am working on them now. The clutch is not stuck. My question is what should I do to the engine before I try and start it? I have joined the HET club.

[Deleted User]

Drain the oil and put in new oil. Pull the plugs and squirt some oil or Marvel Miracle oil in each cylinder. Pull the coil wire and crank the engine a few times to get the oil moving you can leave the plugs out and squirt a bit more oil. If it seems to be cranking ok put the plugs back in and attach the coil wire and try and start her.

I might even drain the rad and flush the block then put in new water. When its running keep an eye on the temp guage and listen for knocking or anything that sounds bad.

Also check the gas tank after sitting for ten years the fuel is probably varnish. You may want to pull the tank and have it cleaned or try and start the car supplying oil from a gas can.

Good luck.

mars55

Putting some Marvel Miracle oil in each cylinder is a good idea. I'll let soak while I work on the brakes. I am going to change radiator water after I get it running. I am hoping that the gas is OK. The previous owner had put gas stabilizer in the tank when he parked it. There is still liquid gas in the filter bowel, but checking the gas will have to be done.



Thank for your help.

Unknown

Good ideas and...... Turn it by hand with the plugs out. You should be able to do this using the fan. While turning you can check for binding in the valves. If one of the valves is stuck, you can pull the valve covers and see what's going on it there. If you try to start it with one or more valves shut, you will break things. Feels good? Then spin the motor with the starter a bit, you can check for spark while splashing some of the new oil around. No spark? File the points and try again? I'd be very surprised if the gas is still good. If it smells good and looks good then it is probably OK. If it smells bad, it is bad. Whatever they put in this new gas goes bad in about a year.



Good Luck

Steve