Picking up a 1968 F100 short bed with a 360 in rough shape. I would like to try and get it started today but the guy has lost the key. What is an easy way to do this without the key.
Thanks for any help.

 

I know that jumping the starter solenoid with 2 screw drivers (one on each of the big bolts sticking out from the sides and than touch the screw drivers together) will turn the starter over but without the key in the accesory position it will not stay running.

I just had a thought. The ignition is fairly easy to get at so you could buy an ignition put it in and start it up. Or I am sure there is someone on here that could say "cross these 2 wires than jump the solenoid".

 

I know how to jump the solenoid but I do not know how to make the points in the ignition switch line up to keep it running as you pointed out. I was thinking about punching through with a screw driver for now but do not want to make things worse.
Thanks for the reply.

 

Go to your local salvage yard and get a replacement Ig switch with keys.....you can hook it up under the dash by just swapping wires....and you can install it as a replacement once you get home. Not hard at all.

 

there are three wires comming out of the ig switch, i used to hold two together and tab the third one to start it, you would have to play around and see which two wires are suppose to be connected

 

To "hot wire" the truck you need to run a wire from the battery to the positive on the coil. Then you do the screwdriver thing on the solenoid. Alot of the electrical will not work like turn signals. Also you run the risk of burning the points and overheating the coil so I would suggest just getting a new switch with key.

 

i know when you are running a compression test, the hand held starter to test for compression will start it, if all wires are on. ive seen it done once on an old dodge, but i think it should work...

 

simple jump the two big wires from the ignition, remember you have to take them apart to turn the truck off. looking on the starter selinoid note the color and pattarn of the smaller wire closer to the battery(red and blue i think) jump that against the two big guage wires you connected under the dash until it starts then seperate that wire from the rest and drive on

 

Hmmm only one ez way.
1. Run a hot wire too the+ side of the COIL.
2. jump from hot batt. side of solenoid TO (S) ON THE solenoid TOGETHER.
3. make sure it's in part
4. when you want to shut the engine off (REMOVE HOT WIRE)
TO push start with out a key. Yep hook up just hot wire to + of coil
and push it as fast as it takes to kick in to gear..
Don't worry about the points getting cooked for a short run as your going to be doing

 

Thanks for all the advice fellas. I lucked out and he had found the key. Still could not get it started. The truck had sat for a couple of years. Pulled out the old fluids and put in fresh but I think the carb was to varnished. It did turn over though but seamed like the starter was dragging. Going to rebuild the carb and see if I can get her to fire.
Thanks again.