Hello,

I recently inherited my dad's 68' Ranger. He built it out of two trucks back around 1990 and I grew up riding in it. I want to hang onto the truck but my first priority is getting it moved to a safe location within the next few days. It has been parked for several years and I don't know how often he started it up or when the last time it was started up (I know it runs and he kept it registered). The battery is four years old so I know he has at least started it since then. Every single time I spent time with him before he died I knew I should learn more about it and start it up but he has been so depressed the past few years it's been difficult.

Anyway. It's a badass truck that was one of my dad's proud achievements and has a lot of great childhood offloading and trip memories. As much as I know right now, we always called it the 68' but when I transferred the title to myself it is registered as a 71' F350. I never heard him call it a 71' so I assume that's the two trucks he combined and that's what ended up on the title but the engine could be something different. It has a manual choke on the right side of the steering column.


Growing up around this stuff, I feel embarrassed asking some simple questions here but here goes.

I put 3 gallons of gas in it because it registered as nearly empty. The battery is dead so I first attempted to jump start it from a Honda accord. Fail. Wouldn't start and took forever to get enough juice. I then took the battery out of my truck and brought it down with me. It's only a 650amp and it turned it over but felt weak. Next I finally got my dad's diesel fired up (a whole other project I had to do ASAP) and jumpered it to the 68' but it wouldn't even turn over. It just clicks.

1. I know it needs coolant but I can't find the reservoir. Something this old do I actually just put water and antifreeze straight into the radiator?

2. The oil level is good but there is a second dipstick that I don't know what it is and shows no fluid at all registering. I've included a picture pointing it out.

3. Just need some advice on getting this started. I've been trying not to resort to it but I could get some starter spray.

Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, you add coolant directly to the radiator.
You might start with removing and cleaning the battery cable connections at both, the battery and the engine and relay . Try to turn the engine over by hand if you can to make sure it is not locked up. With a good battery and good connections you should at least get it to turn over. Also you may need to pull the choke all the way out to get it to start and then of course push the choke back in some to keep it running until it warms up . As it gets warmer you can push the choke all the way in.

 

Since you have a dipstick in the front timing case, the engine is from a car or 2wd truck of the engine era as they used front sumps. 4wd trucks of the same era used a rear sump, so the dipstick was on the back side of the oil pan. In about 1983+ 2 & 4wd trucks all had rear sumps.

 

The original truck was a 71' F350 frame 2wdr (converted to 4wd) flatbed, 429 motor (now a 460 motor).

The body is a 68'

 

Mix the antifreeze and water together beforehand. 50/50 then add it to the radiator.
Also clean the connections on the start motor or SM relay often located on the right fender.
Eric

 

Thanks for the tip.