CA long time sitting-Sea Foam in cylinders ?

Al L. in Wisc. · Nov 2, 2020

Second owner of 1955 wide-front CA. Had it sitting in garage ~ 6 years; water in sediment bowl lead to dropping bowl; replaced; lead to replacing radiator hoses, lead to install new temp gauge, lead to getting new light-charging switch; dropped it and broke it internally; lead to ordering new switch and misplacing it; lead to other priorities I.e. life STUPH, etc. Found switch. Gonna get back at it. ? is are pistons flat on top as I'm gonna shoot some Sea-Foam in cylinders with needle as plug holes are so horizontal. Want to make sure I have adequate amount in for cylinder soaking before I would attempt to fire it up. Have had rear on blocks so will soak for a few days and turn rear wheel. One ounce enough or a larger quantity? "Ran when parked" Yup, it really did. No smoke; smooth quiet runner. Spent it's working days hauling manure and tobacco field work. Thanks in advance for any input.

RalphWD45 · Nov 3, 2020

Sea Foam, is good stuff, used in the fuel system, however for what you want use ATF in the plug holes. If you still have an old style, oil squirt can, you pump with your thumb, then that seems to work good, to fill the cylinders.

Richard G. · Nov 4, 2020

I agree with Ralph.
Use ATF in the cylinders.
It will loosen up the rings and the pistons and protect the walls.
Richard in NW SC

old · Nov 4, 2020

FILL the cylinders with ATF and put the plugs back in then pour as much ATF down the exhaust as you can and let it sit a few days. Doing that frees up sticking rings and valves.

Jim.ME · Nov 4, 2020

You never said the engine is actually stuck and won't turn. Have you tried and it won't turn over? Or are you just trying to put some lube in the cylinders for the sake of lubing it before cranking it over during starting?

Al L. in Wisc. · Nov 4, 2020

Jim.ME" Or are you just trying to put some lube in the cylinders for the sake of lubing it before cranking it over during starting?

Jim; bingo. I should have stated that. Is Sea-Foam going to do that. No reason to think it won't but, just tinkin' a little preventative measure. Thanks.

Jim.ME · Nov 4, 2020

(quoted from post at 22:02:52 11/04/20) Jim.ME" Or are you just trying to put some lube in the cylinders for the sake of lubing it before cranking it over during starting?

Jim; bingo. I should have stated that. Is Sea-Foam going to do that. No reason to think it won't but, just tinkin' a little preventative measure. Thanks.

You can use Sea-Foam if you want, I'd just give each cylinder a small squirt of oil as if doing a compression check. Too much of anything could foul plugs when you try to start it. If you know it will turn over, I certainly wouldn't fill the cylinders as would be done for a stick engine.

Dick L · Nov 5, 2020

I have bought a couple running smoking tractors that had been setting for several years and down on compression. A half can of Seafoam in the fuel and and the other half
in the crankcase and the smoke went away slowly as well as the compression coming back up. It all depends on the condition of the engine when last run as well as to what
it was exposed to while it was setting. What I read of the condition of this tractor I would go with the Seafoam. The tractors that were stuck because of out side storage
I personally always did a complete disassembly and reassembled with as many original parts that were within spec.

old · Nov 5, 2020

Yes sea foam may do it but cost would be 3 or 4 times more then ATF

rustred · Nov 5, 2020

all depends if engine is free, if so just remove plugs and squirt some oil in the cyl's like 6-8 pumps from a can . remove valve cover and
oil up the rocker shaft and valves. that way you can give the valves a tap to make sure they are not stuck. spin it a few times with the
crank to feel for stickyness. if all free wheel it over with the starter and watch oil pressure guage to come up some to lube all brgs. then
start it. no sense wasting a pile of oil and having a super mess to clean up .

David G · Nov 8, 2020

I would use oil in the cylinders and sea foam in the fuel, then oil before changing.

I really like sea foam and use it in my fuel systems annually to clean carburetors and injectors. I also use it in engines that have not had a great history of oil changes. For oil changes I put in 1 oz per quart of oil, run a couple hours, let it sit overnight, then run long enough to get oil warm and change oil. I can tell the difference in the smoothness and quietness right away.

David G · Nov 8, 2020

Important safety note:

It has been suggested by me and others to put oil in the cylinders, make sure the plugs are OUT long enough to clear out excess oil when you crank it. You cannot compress a liquid and will break things.

CA long time sitting-Sea Foam in cylinders ?

Al L. in Wisc.

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RalphWD45

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Richard G.

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old

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Jim.ME

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Al L. in Wisc.

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Jim.ME

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Dick L

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old

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rustred

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David G

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David G

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