farmall 140 not started in 20 years

[art wannamaker]

H I whats the best way to start a farmall thats been setting unused for 20 years has not been started in all that time it looks ok oil looks good needs battery but are there any tips to use when trying to start it thanks art

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

New oil , fresh fuel, hot battery, check antifreeze , check breather and exhaust for birds nest. Turn of fuel supply and crank so as to turn over motor to get it oiled up without actually starting. That's all I got somebody else will have more to add shortly I'm sure.

 

[Jack3489]

Great recommendation above. I would first pull the spark plugs and turn the motor over to make sure the cylinders are clear -- no oil, fuel, or water. If it turns over OK and is clear I would put a tiny bit of oil in each cylinder and turn the motor over several times to lube the cylinder wall and rings. Hopefully none of the rings are sticking. You may also want to test the ignition system while cranking the engine to see if you're getting fire to the plugs. If it all checks out see if it will crank up. You may need a shot of starting fluid to get it to fire. I would also put some carb cleaner like sea foam in the fuel -- suspect the needle and seat are dirty.

Hope it works. Let us know how it runs.

Regards,
Jack

 

[BobG_in_VA]

H I whats the best way to start a farmall thats been setting unused for 20 years has not been started in all that time it looks ok oil looks good needs battery but are there any tips to use when trying to start it thanks art

First, make sure its not locked up...undo the fuel line at the carb and flush some fresh gas thru it to clean it out/make sure its not gummed up inside...if thats OK, put the line back on, put a half gallon of good fuel in it, hook up the battery (is it 6volt or 12? around early '70s they went to 12 volt....then....I'd put it 4th gear, hook it up to another of your tractors and slowly pull it till it fires...also you can take the air cleaner top off and spray some starter fluid down the tube...if its gonna fire at all, it will then...also check your points/rotor for corrosion first...good luck. BobG in VA

 

[RaydaKub]

First, make sure its not locked up...undo the fuel line at the carb and flush some fresh gas thru it to clean it out/make sure its not gummed up inside...if thats OK, put the line back on, put a half gallon of good fuel in it, hook up the battery (is it 6volt or 12? around early '70s they went to 12 volt....then....I'd put it 4th gear, hook it up to another of your tractors and slowly pull it till it fires...also you can take the air cleaner top off and spray some starter fluid down the tube...if its gonna fire at all, it will then...also check your points/rotor for corrosion first...good luck. BobG in VA

Any chance the clutch is stuck on it and it takes off on you when/if it fires up?

 

[Soundguy]

whatr i do on old tractors is mix up diesel and atf and put in each cl, then try to bar it over a bit after a day. add more oil/diesel.. get points set, celaned. clean out fuel tank and carb. block clutch during this time. amny times if they are stuck they will pop apart during the time you are doing the rest of the resurection.

if it bars over freely. then roll it over with starter to clear oil out of the cysl.

change crankcase oil and refill with some cheap walmart flush oil and a filter... into that oil i put a half a can of seafoam, and repalce one of the oil quarts with some type F or dex/mer 3 atf fluid.

then replace plugs and fire her up. rings may take a bit to unstick and move.. so he may need a pull start.

check oil pressure while cranking and after startup.

if she goes good.. i'd dose each sump with a lil atf and diesel, plus alcohol if there is water in the rear or hyds.

run her around the yard and work her till warm. then give her a good draining and refill of all sumps.. plus change all the filters and clean any screens. oil bath air filters included. ( check that one before starting! )

this method or variations on it has resurected many an old tractor for me.