Bill Curry Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) Car has been in dry storage for the last 45 plus years. Suggestions on lubricants to use in engine prior to trying to turn over. Will drop tank flush radiator etc. put in new plugs and wires . What else should I do to see if I can get it running1941 Plymouth P12 Edited February 3, 2021 by Bill Curry (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Why do anything other than putting some oil in the cylinders, let it sit for a couple of days, put a battery in it or use jumpers to see if it will spin over. Once it turns over put the plugs back in, jury rig a fuel source and try to start it. If it runs then you can start refreshing things. Too many people start to repair things that are not necessary and then end up with timing problems or maybe an engine that is not serviceable and they have wasted a lot of money. Your engine is pretty basic, not like a Buick where you could mess up push rods by turning the engine over. Good luck with your new friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowriv Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 If an engine hasn't run for some time, particularly pre modern multigrade oils, I always drop the sump, clean out the sludge and check the oil pump prior to starting. Cheap insurance in my view. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Some (OK, many) years back, I also bought a P12 out of long storage. I put penetrating oil down the cylinders (rings were stuck) and rocked the car in gear by pushing on it. After a few days, it moved and I joyously fell on my butt! I dropped the pan and cleaned it of sludge and penetrating oil. The valves can be checked by turning the car over with the head off - it will be obvious if one is sticking. The exhaust valves have hardened seat inserts. If I recall correctly you fit new ones if needed by putting them in dry ice first to shrink them slightly. The wheel cylinders are stepped - the piston only comes out one way no matter how hard you try. The one side has wheel lugs with an "L" because are left hand thread. The wheels should have a triple pinstripe between the hubcap and rim, but if you have the inner beauty rings it covers that area. Interior striped wool broadcloth. P12 should have the three piece bumpers unlike the one piece P11, and two strips of side stainless at the belt line. Hubcaps use a different font on "Plymouth" than the commonly seen 46-48 ones. Tapped some long term storage on the brain. The basic mechanics are strong and I used it as a daily driver after a basic rebuild. It is slow, even by 1941 standards, but a pretty comfortable car for its price point. There are a number of things that the throttle lock allows you to do that you probably shouldn't. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 2X on dropping the pan. I put a couple teaspoons of Marvel Mystery oil down each spark plug hole, let is sit a few days. Rolling it over by hand is the best (breaker bar on the crank) if there is something stopping it from turning over you will know. I have done a few cars sitting that long, getting them running has always been easier then getting them to STOP. Brakes are a slow tedious task. nice looking car Edited February 4, 2021 by Graham Man (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 (edited) Dad and I rebuilt entire brake system on my 41 Ply in one Saturday, although I think we got drums turned weekend before. I learned how to hone, rebuild wheel cylinders, bend and run lines, etc. A fun day, especially when it actually stopped dependably on the road!! Andy Bernbaum, if he is still around is a great parts source out of MA for those cars. Got brake shoes at NAPA though, this was mid 70s. Cannot kill those flatheads. Mine ran more smoothly than the Packard I had for a while as an adult! Edited February 6, 2021 by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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