Starting a truck that has been sitting

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Onewolf81, Jul 16, 2021.

  1. Onewolf81

    Onewolf81 Bobtail Member

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    I’m preparing to move a 1973 Pete with a 3406A this weekend. I’ve only got to move it avout 1/2 to my shop but it’s been sitting for about 5 years. Any tips?
     
    bzinger Thanks this.
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  3. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    5 years ain't bad. If motors good prime the fuel system, new batteries and it might just fire. Otherwise a portable air compressor and a BF hammer to knock brakes loose and tow. Or just drag it home with something bigger
     
  4. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Check the fuel for water or contamination. May need fresh fuel. Can of starting fluid, new batterys and as lester said the biggest #### hammer you can find for the brakes just incase. Also may want to drain the air tanks incase water has built up in them.
     
    Rideandrepair and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
  5. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I usually have better luck with a pry bar between the drum and steel at the end of the shoe on the S - cam side. Good luck and post pics please.
     
    Rideandrepair and lester Thank this.
  6. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    Pop valve cover and toss some oil around up there or just crank a bit slow for a while (spurts, not constant) to get oil flowing before you get it started.
     
  7. Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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    Pull out the air cleaners bugs love to make nests in them..
     
    Rideandrepair, Magoo1968 and lester Thank this.
  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    The 3406A in mine sat for more than 10. I just checked fluid levels and hit the starter. Didn't even prime it and it was running within 30 seconds.
     
  9. Magoo1968

    Magoo1968 Road Train Member

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    Have a way to choke off air supply in case it runs away on you. Otherwise normal daily checks should be enough.
     
  10. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    I would avoid loose flexible cloth if posible though. It can get sucked into the intake and destroy all kinds of goodies (i learned that the hard way watching a friend fixing an old farm tractor that ran away) A $2 rug from a truckstop or a chunk of plywood are MUCH safer and work about as well. If you have a big hole in the intake and it wont choke get in and use the clutch to drop it into a high gear all at once. Truck will likely lurch but it will kill the engine usually.

    A co2 fire extinguisher is also very hand to use. Spray it into the intake and it will kill the engine and not leave anything nasty behind (the white dry ice stuff will dissipate) good way to instantly kill a runaway engine with a holey intake.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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