Posted by Charlie on December 08, 1998 at 23:31:32:
In Reply to: Just bought my first PW, I need help! posted by Eric B. on December 08, 1998 at 15:55:59:
Drain the oil out of each component and examine carefully for metal filings, large metal chunks (indicates catastrophic failure of something, requires teardown of that component, water, rust. As far as the gear parts go, if the oil is reasonable looking and there's no large pieces of metal, it'll be OK to try it out. As far as the motor, if the oil looks good, I'd spray some Kroil/WD40 like stuff down each spark plug hole, leave holes open, and attempt to turn engine over with a bar/socket on the crank pulley. If it turns over easily two full revolutions, then I'd probably drain the water jacket and refill with water (if you live somewhere warm), make sure the belts are OK, check wiring, get fire extinguisher ready, get fresh gas into carburetor, hook up new battery, and crank it. Actually, I'd try to turn it over with a 1/2" drive ratchet and socket on the crank pulley 20 revolutions or so (shouldn't be much resistance with the plugs out) to get oil going thru the oil pump a bit. Then crank with the starter 10 seconds at a time with no plugs till oil pressure starts to show. THEN try to start with plugs & new gas. I wouldn't to the "pull distributor and use electric drill to turn oil pump" trick because you will have enough trouble getting the thing to start without worrying about having screwed up the timing.
BTW, my "new" used White/Hercules diesel, unused and stored indoors for ~5 years, with fuel injection pump removed and rebuilt and replaced, started after only about 45 seconds of cumulative cranking with a large cloud of brownish-black smoke, now sounds and runs OK w/good oil pressure. Same kind of deal, but 20 years outdoors is a LOT longer than 5 years indoors.
Charlie