This sounds a bit like the occassion when, many years ago after riding bikes with Woods valves, I inherited my brother's Rudge Clubman. They tyres had Presta valves and, similarily I couldn't get them to pump up. I asked my dad, who, bless him, wasn't any good with bikes and it was my mum who sussed the wee valve locknut - !
Been riding Presta valve tyres ever since - !