RE: Linda
These trucks have probably been setting for at least 6 months. There is the possibility of diesel runaway, which is bad. The fuel cutoff lever won't kill the engine because it has started sucking oil past the rings and is burning that. The way to kill the engine is to starve it of air by placing a board over the intake (remove the intake cap and have hubby stand by with a short plank before you try to start it.)
On the dashboard on the left side of the steering wheel, you will see a T-handle that may be pulled out, This is the fuel cutoff handle. Pull it out and leave it out for now.
Near that you will see a strangely shaped lever about two inches long. This is the master power switch. Turn it clockwise. If the battery isn't dead, you should hear an annoying, loud buzzing noise, that is the low pressure alarm.
Now look on the dashboard on the lower right side of the steering wheel and you will see a pushbutton. Make sure the truck is chocked, set the parking brake (that handle on the left side of the driver's seat), put it in neutral and press that button. If the batteries are good, and if none of the cylinders is full of fluid, the engine will turn over. If it turns freely, go to the next step, but most likely the batteries are too dead to turn it over.
Once you have good batteries in and the engine is turning, turn the fuel cutoff T handle vertical and push it in.
Now crank away. Also, the engine won't die on a Deuce if you turn off the master switch. You have to pull the fuel cutoff T handle.
BTW, I found a rodent's nest just inside the air filter inlet. It is always a good idea to check.