nm9stheham said

^^^ THIS is first in doing anything to turn/start the engine. See if the engine will free up and turn by hand first is there is any question as to the condition inside. The /6 does not usually come with a bolt on the snout of the crankshaft to make it easy to turn, but the threads are there, inside the center of the front crank pulley. Clean the threads out (they are often oily and dirt filled), and then get a 2" long 3/4" dia x 16 tpi bolt and flat washer to put in there. Then you will have a good spot to turn the crank with a wrench or socket.

BTW, turning a /6 by hand with the fan can be done if you know the technique but is tough if the compression is good. Since you are new to this, put the bolt in.

Set aside the 15W40 Rotella for initial start up; it is kinda heavy. Start with some 5W30 oil; that will get pulled up by the pump much more easily and give the best chance of quick oiling at initial startup.

Pull the valve cover and examine the inside and see how much sludge is inside that area. Post a pix if you can. You are going to have to pull this valve cover to adjust the valve lash which is one of the first things to do on a /6. What year is this car/engine?

A compression tester can be borrowed from a box store like Autozone on their loaner tool program. Compression testing is an important thing to do early on an engine of unknown condition.

Drop and clean out the gas tank and fuel line THOROUGHLY BEFORE you put gas into it and start the engine. This is a big problem area for all old cars. I know it is a bit of work, BUT any old fuel or residue will get into the carb and into the intake valve guides. It will gum up the carb badly and gum up the intake valve stems. When this happens, the valves often stick, and you end up with bent pushrods on the /6.

It is a bit of work, but all of this is done for good reason.

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