my first post, so please don't flame me too hard :-)

I have just bought and shipped a 1959 Galaxie from the US and just got her back to UK.

The 292 in her is locked up, any suggestions for freeing her up and maybe getting her running?

The odeometer reads 66k-ish, and given the general overall feel of the car, I get the impression that someone dies and she was rolled behind the barn in 1971 (there is a service sticker on the A-post for early 71)

here's a couple of pics

right hand valve cover off

This is not an all-inclusive list so anyone else please feel free to add to it.

Step 1.  Check the fuel tank.  If it has fuel in it, then drain and clean the fuel tank and lines thoroughly.

Step 2.  Remove or loosen the rocker arm assembly and check that none of the valves are stuck open.  Tapping on the tops of the valves and seeing the valves return back to their closed positions is also recommended.  Check that all the pushrods are in place and none are bent.

Step 3.  Remove the spark plugs and shoot a couple of ounces of ATF into each cylinder.  Use only a lightweight oil for this and not engine oil.  Let this sit for awhile and then hook up pressurized air (85-125psi) to each cylinder and force that oil into the ring land cavities.  If necessary, put more oil into the cylinders and repeat the process.

Step 4.  Once the engine is rotating, then reinstall the valve train and check the tappet/lash settings.   Then get into the distributor and check that the points are usable.  Install a new point set if the old points look to be corroded.  Spin the engine over and check that you have fire from the distributor cap end of the coil wire.  Install a new set of properly gapped spark plugs at this point.

Step 5.  Assuming you’ve got the fuel system sorted out earlier and it’s hooked up with fresh fuel available, then the engine has spun over enough at this point you shoud have fuel at the carb.  If you see fuel seepage at the carb, it likely needs to be rebuilt.  Assuming the carburetor is in a runable condition, try to start the engine.

Please keep us posted on your progress and let's see some more pictures!

Mark

the car is stored at a friends farm about 20 mnutes from here, so I can't just pop out to the garage and do a little work

the spark plugs are proving hard to shift, they have had a liberal soaking in penetrating fluid and I'll have a go at them with a larger breaker bar at the weekend!

thatnks for the hints and tips guys, and please keep them coming. she is such a disticntive car and I've been a chevy guy for too long...... :-)

    Folks on this site are very helpful and patient when it comes to sorting through problems and answering questions. I think you'll be well pleased, you've come to the right place.

     Missouri Mike

     Smack dab in the middle of the USA.

so the bores are now full of diesel/ATF mix and i'll take a well earned break. Next stiop, getting the rad and hose's out while the motor free's itself off

thanks, Taff

13/16" ??

i found a 20mm socket works ...... as we are cursed with metric!

stuey

England

cheers there chap.

I asssume your the R'n'S Stuey?

I got the rad, water pump and hose's etc all out of the way, dumped anopther couple of litres of diesel down through the valve train and gave her a gentle rocking. Nothing.

Not too worry, I'll keep on it, she hasn't been serviced since 1971 so I'm not suprised she's being stubborn!! On the plus side, everything that comes off looks good and serviceable

just a couple of pointers

useful book FORD Y-BLOCK by James Eickman

useful websites:  J Mummert at http://www.ford-y-block.com , T Eaton at http://www.eatonbalancing.com  and look for Mctim on You Tube. the Y-block has one or two tricks for the unwary.

 this website is a mine of info and i have found the people to be extremely helpful friendly and enthusiastic. get into using the Search facility!

all the best

stuey

Well, it moving.

I’ve been chipping away at her since before Christmas, plugs took an age to get out and then the bores were filled with diesel. The engine oil was drained out (didn’t appear to be any nasties in there) and then the motor was filled to the brim with diesel. This was drained and replaced a a couple of times, while gently rocking the breaker bar on the crank nut. And today, while dicking about with a couple of smaller things (like you do), I gave it a gentle rock as I walked past and she moved a little. Not much, but it was movement.

An hours gentle rocking later and I have got her a quarter of a turn. I was so cold by then (it’s about zero here today and the cars in an open barn) and I gave up before I went down with frost bite! Still, it’s further than that engine has turned in about 35 years, eh?!

keep at it!

wishing you warmth from Texas... where its 65 degrees today

Mark

nope, the rockers are still on.

items removed are as follws:-

waterpump, dynamo, starter motor.

i was considering removing the dizzy as well? but know she's turning over.....   :-)

i'll carry out a couple of oil changes and once i'm happy i have some oil pressure i'll go for a start up!

can someone recommend a good brand of carb rebuild kit? THe RockAuto one looks to be missing a few items?

no fuel pump fitted to it, my friend,

The original fuel pump is toast, and I have an electric fuel pump ready to be fitted. The 5 second run up was achieved using a gravity-fed temporary fuel system

I'll see if they can be cleaned up and welded before i seal and refit it.

it's also pretty bashed about but no-one is going to see it under there, right?!

true, but getting stuff shipped to the UK is currently very expensive.

for example, new rockers are availabe for $20. shipping is another $175.