The engine in this truck has not been started in 30 years, so I had been expecting it to be totally rusted up and unusable.

When Kirk brought it down, he said that the engine seemed to turn, because it was stuck in gear, but all the wheels turned when they pulled it with a winch. I dont plan to keep the old engine, but if it can be used as is, it would make it much easier for me to move the truck around the yard. So I am going to put some effort into trying to start the thing.

This engine is designed to be turned with a hand crank. I dont have one of those in my garage, so I fashioned an adapter that will fit the crank pulley.

Half inch bolt (i think) drilled for 5/16 cross pin. Bolt is cut off 1 inch beyond edge of pin.

I turn it with a wrench. Looks sort of like a hand crank.

And sure enough, the engine turns easily. A little too easy really, I dont feel much of any compression. I would like to pull the valve cover and make sure that the valves are closing, but then I would need a new gasket to put it back together, so I will not do this yet.

I pulled the oil filter out. Not much left of that. The oil filter is an external canister that is attached to the firewall, and connects to the engine with hoses. These filters are still available, so I will install a new one before I try to start the motor.

The oil in the crankcase looks good. I just pulled the dipstick, and the oil is very thick, but no sign of rust or water.

1. Distributor looks very clean inside, and turns with engine. I could not measure any ground continuity.
2. Verified starter switch with an ohm meter.
3. Could hear gear clatter when starter peddle is pushed while engine is turned. I assume this is just the Bendix gear that I hear. I wanted to turn the starter motor, but if there is a Bendix, that will prevent this. I cant turn the engine backwards because the crank nose is specifically designed to NOT be turned backwards.
4. Spark plugs look almost new.
5. Throttle valve was stuck open, but I worked some oil into it and now it moves fairly easily. Needs a good return spring.
6. Choke seems ok.
7. Air filter is a joke.
8. Fan belt fell apart. Will I need this?

Drained the oil today. Got about 1/2 gallon of water before any oil came out. Oil is thick, but seemed to drain ok.

Removed the carburetor. VERY difficult to remove bolts.

Borrowed the battery from the Tacoma to test the starter. Connected up to battery terminals with #8 jumper cables. Starter does turn, but very slowly, as if the battery is nearly dead (but the Tacoma cranks like a banshee).

Verified that the engine is turning with the starter. I will need to try a more direct connection to the battery to see if that is the problem.

I want to verify that the valves are moving first. I dont feel any compression, and no point in going further with the engine if valves are stuck open.