Starting old engine

[Jack Rose]

I've just bought a Fageol 44 VIP for my '57 Century Colt which is the original engine for that boat. I'm guessing that it's about 45-50 years old. It's never been installed in a boat, never had fluids put in it, and never run since it was assembled. <br /><br />Everything appears to be in good shape, hoses and wiring intact, engine turns easily, transmission shifts, etc. <br /><br />So what do I need to do before cranking it up? Any way to get oil to the cams w/o opening it up. Any way to pressurize the lube system w/o starting it? <br /><br />FYI, the Fageol 44 was a 4 cylinder, 44 ci, overhead cam, dual carb Crosley automobile engine turned on it's end and converted to marine use by the late hydroplane racer Lou Fageol.

 

[JB]

Re: Starting old engine

Worked on many a Crosley in my youth. Can you hook up an oil pressure guage? What I would do with a new engine was remove the plugs and spin it up with the starter until it showed at least 20lb oil pressure. Failing that I suggest squirting about 1 tsp of oil in each cylinder and spin it for 5 to 10 seconds before trying to start it.<br /><br />What a find! A Fageol 44 new in the box. Wow! For what it's worth, Homelite bought Fageol out and evolved the 44 into the Homelite 55 using, I think, Coventry Climax engines. The Homelite 55 was the favorite power plant for the earliest series of Boston Whaler 16's in the '60s.<br /><br />Good Luck.

<br />JB

 

[corm]

Re: Starting old engine

Cool, they are still running up and down the<br />Mississippi River. What a find is right. I still have people looking for them.

 

[sony2001]

Re: Starting old engine

I assume you will be using Mineral oil for<br />the first 50 hrs. (no additives) After 10<br />hours send the oil out for analysis.<br /><br />------------------

 

[Jack Rose]

Re: Starting old engine

Hey, thanks for all the replies and good ideas. The engine is not in the boat, now, so I hadn't even thought of the oil pressure guage idea. Duh.<br /><br />So does anyone know where I might find a gasket kit for this engine. Just in case. I've not tried the Crosley auto folks, they may be a start.<br /><br />I've also wondered about running synthetic oil in it. Any thoughts. Since it's never been run, if the gaskets are in good shape it seems like an idea worth considering. I'm just not sure whether the gaskets of the 50s can handle synthetic oil. I apologize if that's already been discussed to death. I'll look.<br /><br />As for anyone looking for a new one, I've found a couple of others that are purported to be new if you're interested send me an e-mail and I'll forward what I've found.

 

[JB]

Re: Starting old engine

40-50 years ago I got all of my Crosley parts from an outfit named Service Motors somewhere on Long Island. I have no idea if they are still in business. I don't recall any gaskets that would be vulnerable to synthetics, but the crank seals might. There is no head gasket, the head and block are integral and bolt to an aluminum crankcase. Good Luck

<br />JB