To start or not?

[440]

Should I try starting my truck which hasn't been started in 2 - 3 years or wait till I can pull the distributor and prime it before trying. A fair bit of work was done to it prior to putting it into hibernation, which also unfortunately resulted in the oil being changed just before being put away. The Royal Purple in it still looks as new (purple) as the day it was poured out of the bottle (maybe 4 years ago or so), but I'm leery to trust it in case some of the additives have broken down. I did start it after sitting for about 2 years, it started fine, but I worry about the damage caused by cranking till the oil pump primes it.

I've seen topics on this sort of thing in the past but can't find them in search.

[Cooter]

Didn't specify what make of truck, but some of the Chevy's are hard to get at the distibutor. Chrysler with BB is fairly easy though.
Change the oil, disable coil, hook up battery charger, spin engine over till oil pressure is up.

[440]

'77 400 Ford, distributor is right at the front. It has a high volume pump which builds good pressure, the 400's are known for poor oiling.

Just not a fan of dry cranking it till the oil pressure builds.

[Tilar]

I wouldnt be afraid of it sitting 3 years unless it sounds like its laboring to turn over. Unless you used really crappy thin oil in it, there will still be a film of oil in the bearings until the oil pump starts pumping again.

[440]

20/50 Royal Purple... Hardly any miles on the oil.

I'll get the date and miles later today.

[Scaregrabber]

Just turn it over and start it. the 383 in my 70 Dodge D100 is fresh and I just start it whenever, last time it sat for over a year.

Sheldon

[36 Dodge Brothers]

'77 400 Ford, distributor is right at the front. It has a high volume pump which builds good pressure, the 400's are known for poor oiling.

Just not a fan of dry cranking it till the oil pressure builds.

In your own words you say that you are not a fan of dry cranking so why take the risk. If it was my truck I would prime it, besides with the distributor up front it's a quick and easy job.

[440]

Oil and filter were changed 9-1-08 and only have 111 miles on them  

Just picked up a case of Royal Purple HPS...

[71bee]

Change the oil, disable coil, hook up battery charger, spin engine over till oil pressure is up.

agreed. aint nothin' wrong with doing it this way.

[crankypat]

   talk to any engine rebuilder and they say to prime motor always after sitting extended period of time. most wear on bearings is dry start.............................

[71bee]

well, i haven't ever had a problem with disconnecting the coil & cranking it over until you recieve oil pressure. maybe i've just been lucky all of those times?

[440]

It would be interesting to see Ron's view on this.

[crankypat]

   CALLING RON>>>>>>>>  wondering what he thinks?

[firefighter3931]

Just not a fan of dry cranking it till the oil pressure builds.

Same here ! 

My rule of thumb is 6 months or more (no-start) ....it gets a proper prime. 

I've found that BB Chrysler engines will hold prime for several months. One thing i've noticed that's worth mentioning is Brad Penn oil must be using some special type of additive....that stuff sticks like GLUE. I've torn down an engine that had been sitting for several months and the bearings were still heavily coated with that Green stuff....never seen that with other oils i've used in the past. 

Don't know much about BB Ford but if the oiling system is a known weak link and the distributor is easily accessible....it's a no brainer. Pull it and prime the pump   



Ron