I spent this afternoon helping a friend bringing this speedster out into the sun. I don't know how many years this has sat but the engine is stuck. The plan is to get this running and driving and take it to the Newport Hill this fall.
That's a great looking car for sitting a long time. Nice job helping get another on the road. Cliff Ramsdell
The previous owner said he freed the engine up a few years ago with shop air in the spark plug hole but it is pretty stuck this time. The head was removed and Marvel mystery oil has been sitting on the pistons for the last couple of months.
Since its not a mechanical problem. I would suggest you get a breaker bar and attach it to the crank. Lift the vehicle up slightly and apply the weight (slightly) to the breaker bar. Check it ever so often to see if the engine rotated to apply more weight. Can't beat gravity. Nice and slow going...
That's a cool looking car please forgive me but im young and just getting into the real old stuff (pre 64) is that a car that was made in the factory or is that something someone made in there garage a long time ago ? I would guess it was made in a garage do to the bar stool but you never know thanks for sharing i've learned something today
The engine being stuck may not be the pistons stuck to the bore but the camshaft or lifters frozen up. Probably would be best to squirt them down with some oil too.
Looking at the pedals it looks like its still running the original T engine and trans. Is it all stock?
Looks like fun! My '26 T had bar stool tops for seats in it too when I got it! Couldn't find you at Jefferson this year. All of those bicycle parts went to good use, we brought pics, but didn't see you there.
Good point; I'll stuck soaking the parts down, no movement yet. The engine has been sitting with ATF on the piston for days, a floor jack was placed under the engaged crankshaft and allowed to sit with the car weight on it, the only thing that did was break two ears off the crank
I like to use diesel! Maybe give that a shot! It's worked for me a number of times. It's a bit thinner and not super flammable Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
i wouldent try to turn it from the crank id put it in gear and rock it a little every other day or so that has worked for me in the past just keep soaking it and be patient maybe a couple light taps on the tops of the pistons with a peice of wood not hard enough to snap a ring tho.
The engine freed up yesterday, it was pretty stuck but when rocking the engine I could feel cylinders 2, 3, and 4 move just a little bit but 1 was was solid. The pistons in the engine are steel, I took an old freeze plug and placed a washer inside it then applied a mild pressure with a pneumatic hammer while the car was rocked.. After a couple of seconds the piston began to move. I was surprised to find the bores to be in good condition, there's not even a ridge at the top of the cylinders. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Don't give up hope. I had a Chevy stuck so bad that a 4 foot long 2X4 was used to break it loose. I put about 25K on the clock before I sold it. I was sure it was toast but it ran fine after it was finally broken loose. Don't assume the worst. I was planning on a replacement engine but it turned out it was just fine.
You can't put a breaker on the end of a "T" crankshaft. You can do the same thing by putting a jack under the starting crank
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