Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks
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Hey all - my dad has a 1925 Superior K that he had running back in 1985 and I'm curious now what it would take to get it back running? He mentioned that he unfortunately left some gas in the tank back then, so of course steam cleaning the tank is first on the list. Beyond that, any other thoughts from experience? We're both very handy around cars and he did get the car running back in 85' when he found it, but thought to ask the community - thanks in advance!
Cleaning the fuel system is #1. Make sure it's got oil and turns freely. Check the points and timing and give her a whirl. Below are a couple of pics of the first start after a long slumber of my old '38, plus one of the result of not cleaning the fuel system first. Good luck. The guy 'not' holding a bent pushrod is a friend. The well fed fellow with the un-straight piece of steel is me.
7046 old site posts
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1938 Master Business Coupe-Sold, now living in New Jersey
1953 210 Sedan
Hi-J Tec,
Welcome to the VCCA site. Clean fuel system and carburetor. Change oil, remove valve covers and turn engine over by hand with crank. Check to make sure all valves open and close properly. Add oil to valve spring area and add oil to felt inside valve covers. Top off cooling system. Check head bolt torque. (no more than 50 psi.) Start engine and check for leaks and oil pressure. Oil pressure will be around 6-8 psi when first started and when warm it will drop to around 2 psi. This is normal. If everything is as old and original as you say it is , then visually check the distributor and generator end housing. If they are original they will probably have a cracked or spider web look to them. If you put any pressure on them they will break apart. New bare aluminum distributor housing cost is $250 and generator end plate is $350. If you need some one to rebuild them for you then you are looking at around $1,000. I hope your honeycomb radiator is okay, that's $1,000 or more for a new one. Welcome to the club and enjoy your money pit. We hope you have deep pockets.
Steve
Here's the approach I took with my 1928 Canopy Express (Justin), which was not working for at least 50 years: Getting a sleeper back on the road (post on vccachat.org)
Keep us posted on what you do and what you find!
Cheers, Dean
Dean "Rustoholic" Meltz
San Leandro, CA
3511 posts on vccachat.org
Lurch -1927 LM one ton truck - tinyurl.com/Lurch-VCCACHAT-Gallery
Justin - 1928 AB Canopy Express (1/2 ton truck) - tinyurl.com/Justin-Stovebolt-Gallery
Before cleaning all the fuel system clean the carb and use something like a lawn mower gas tank to gravity feed the carb. That’s what I did after checking the other things suggested, when I got a 25 running that had set since about 1970. Then you can find all the other problems to know how good or bad it will be.
@dennis-christianson You did a great job on my 25. I was going to suggest that J-tec get ahold of you!
Southwest Iowa