1940 dodge pickup.. how do I start it?

[charmcity]

 

I recently was given my grandfathers 1940 dodge pickup truck that has been sitting for a bit. I have been just looking over the truck and fixing a few things and just trying to become familiar with it. I have gotten it to the point where I can start it up but after tons of research that led to nothing I just cant seem to figure out what to push or or pull to get this truck to start.

[Young Ed]

If stock you would turn the key on, give it a couple pumps of fuel, pull the choke, and then press the starter lever above the gas pedal. With that said being this old some of that could have changed depending on what people have done with it 

[P15-D24]

Pull the choke out about 1/2" and step on the gas once to the floor and release. This sets the choke butterfly. Then ignition on, press the starter and crank. If there is fuel in the carb bowl it should fire nearly immediately. Then as it warms up reduce choke to full open. If it seems like it wants to to stall give it a little more gas with the throttle control. 

 

If it's been sitting for a while and the fuel in the bowl has evaporated you may need to crank it first to get the carb bowl full again, then do the start sequence.

If you are not sure how far to pull out the choke cable try it once without the air cleaner installed. You will se how it snaps shut with the first gas pedal depression.

[Dodgeed]

I agree with the above suggestions, but just to ensure there are no surprises, make sure your transmission is in neutral, or at least keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way in.  

[Ivan_B]

How long ago was it running the last time? If you are not very mechanically inclined, you might want to invite a buddy, familiar with old cars, to get it going. Depending upon the current condition, attempting to start it might mess things up even worse. If you watch some of those "will it run" tube videos - do not do what those people are doing. Most of them are doing bad things, just for show. Since this is your family car, you don't want that 😉

Edited yesterday at 01:32 AM by Ivan_B

[47 1.5 ton]

Not knowing how much prep you have gave it or length of time sitting, see if the hand crank is there. I would want to make sure it feels smooth rotating before trying to fire up and the hand crank is a good tool for job. I generally use it just when sitting through the winter.                                                                                 Agree with instructions given to you above for the process— just have patience to help prevent damage. These engines are known for stuck valves from sitting and forcing them can cause damage to the cam and timing chain.

 Love those trucks— best of luck!

[Ivan_B]

2 minutes ago, 47 1.5 ton said:

I would want to make sure it feels smooth rotating before trying to fire up and the hand crank is a good tool for job.

I concur, and even better: if the car was sitting for decades, I would want to take the valve covers and the engine pan off to inspect the internals before even thinking of touching the crank. If you have a borescope, you should also inspect the bores, etc. Otherwise, the head is coming off as well. Better to be safe than sorry.