1929 Tudor Starting tips? Hasn't run since 1968.

A

Auernig

Junior Member
My neighbor owns a 1929 Tudor. In 1968 he drained the gas & coolant and put it away in his garage and hasn't started it since. Truthfully, its in amazing shape for sitting that long.

He's replacing the wiring harness and radiator hoses this week and just bought a new battery. Flywheel is free and it seems to have good compression. It looks like it ran last week. His water pump even appears to be in good shape and turns freely.

Any recommendations/tips on things he should check/do before trying to turn it over after 46 years?

-Thanks,

Auernig
 
so what does the oil look like after almost 46 years ? I d drop the pan and clean it out after so long . I wold really like to see some photos !! good luck
 
I would change the oil to get rid of any moisture that accumulated, check the points and plugs to make sure you have spark and add new fuel. Also inject oil into each cylinder to lubricate those dry rings and give it try.
 
I would pull the oil pan and look for sludge. All kinds of critters could have gotten down there in the last 40 years. Inspect the pump screen for ick. Clean as necessary. Poor a quart or two of oil down the dizzy hole and the rest in the filler as normal. Remember the motor takes 5 qts if the dipper tray gets emptied. Good luck!!
 
Don't forget to check the fuel tank for corrosion. And when you do put as in her and turn valve on be prepared to catch any gas that may seep out of bad gaskets. Also change the ****** and rear end oil as well.

Mike
 
Good tip Mike
I forgot to say just don't fill the tank up. I had a friend do this on a newly acquired A. the gauge gaskets were dry. There was fuel pouring out the gauge into the cab of his truck at the gas station!!! Scary!!!!!!
 
Mike your right about the rear and the trans, my tudor slept for about 20 years and what looked like caramel came out of the rear and the trans, a good flush n fill before driving
 
Great suggestions and info. I'll pass it along to my friend and will try to get him to sign up and post some pictures. I was expecting a project car when he told me about it. When he opened the garage door I was shocked. It looks like he drove it last week. It's in amazing condition!
 
You mentioned that it has good compression and are looking for suggestions before he tries to turn it over. I'd guess that he'd turned it over when making the compression check.As others have suggested, if the oil looks bad,pull the oil pan and clean out the sludge. If the oil looks good, you may get away with changing it. I always put fogging oil in the cylinders and let it sit for awhile Then I crank it with the plugs out to reduce the load on the rotating engine parts and get oil there before there is a normal load. on bearings etc.
good lick with this project.
donQ
 
Good luck on your venture....check the muffler ... I had the same deal ... a 1935 chevy coupe since 1988 sitting. Started the car up after all above post help .NUTS burnt came shooting out of the rear pipe... could be clogged up...and yes there was a mouse nest in the crank case???? how ??? carb. was left open...i really don't know but the nest crap came floating to the top of the oil filler after 5 gallons of Kerosene put into the block.
 
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