Starting a car after 30+ years. Anything needed, beyond the obvious?

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Thinking about this, aside from dropping the fuel tank and pumping some fuel through the lines (then changing the fuel filter afterwards), what else might you do?

Fresh plugs?
Carb is fresh...

Anything else?

Thanks for your feedback! If you've done this before, I'd like to hear what you encountered 

Also, what is the best way to "clean" a gas tank? 

[skip68]

prime the oil pump.   

[1carcrazyguy]

See if you can turn the motor over by hand first.   Then pull the plugs and use a spray lube in each cylinder.  Turn the motor over a few times with a socket on the crank pulley.  Pull coil wire so that you can run the motor over with the starter a few times so you can listen to it as it is turning over without starting.  Put plugs back in and put coil wire back on and see if it fires. Don't leave it running very long and change to fresh oil after using a spray lube in the the cylinders.

[skip68]

What he just said.   100%     

[ACUDANUT]

Tell us the story on the car. You know..The type of car, where is was stored...We want s pic's.

[moparstuart]

 brakes you will most likely have to change out most of the brakes  , wheel cylinders for sure and soft lines maybe had line and  master too  . 

[skip68]

probably need to leave the tranny in neutral while running it for a bit so it pumps tranny fluid through the tranny. 

[Cooter]

All of the above is dead nuts on. In addition, I've fired up 1958 Plymouth's that have been sitting. First thing I like to do is change ALL fluids regardless. Especially engine oil. Be prepared for the carb to need a rebuild before you fire it up. (Don;t want any fires).
New Fuel pump.

Best way to "clean" a Fuel tank? Replace it. It's cheaper in the long run and saves on time. I rec. a new sender unit as well.
Blow out fuel lines under car to pump.

Pull Bulkhead conn. and CLEAN WELL. Check other wiring for rats knawing on it.

[ws23rt]

All of the above I agree with. I would add to be patient. I know the need to hear it bark is strong but if you are in too big a hurry you may regret it.

[Daytona R/T SE]

And, I'll add:

Jack the rear end up and get the back tires off the ground, placing the rear axle on jack stands or

blocks.

Just because it looks like it's in neutral or park, doesn't mean it is.

Don't ask me how I know.


This will also guard against the hilarity that ensues when you find out too late that someone has

bypassed the neutral safety switch

[shorty442]

Ditto to the above lists and advice, plus

      I personally recommend having a fire extinguisher on hand due to backfires setting off crap in the hood insulation, seed husks in and on the intake manifold, old deteriorated fuel lines, stuck floats, ad infinitum, ad nauseum, and etc.

Good luck in your adventure!   

[NHCharger]

I would remove the plugs and squirt some penetrating oil in all the cylinders and let sit over night before attempting to crank the engine.

[Drache]

need some of this

[ws23rt]

 Starting fluid?  It has value but risks.  If all is ready to run (from above) maybe ok to help find out what is next to look at. I have used acetylene (without O2!!!) to start an old rototiller (please this is not a good idea I am not recommending this.) ( I did it away from other trouble)and it works as long as the crank turns. But It does not help me with why it won't work on gas. The value I see is to eliminate fuel related issues.

[Drache]

Starting fluid?  It has value but risks.

Read the can closely....

[ws23rt]

 

[Todd Wilson]

brakes you will most likely have to change out most of the brakes  , wheel cylinders for sure and soft lines maybe had line and  master too  . 

YUP!  And tires!


Todd

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Tell us the story on the car. You know..The type of car, where is was stored...We want s pic's.

1969 Dodge Charger R/T, stored indoors and dry, no pics - file name rejected due to size

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

All of the above is dead nuts on. In addition, I've fired up 1958 Plymouth's that have been sitting. First thing I like to do is change ALL fluids regardless. Especially engine oil. Be prepared for the carb to need a rebuild before you fire it up. (Don;t want any fires).
New Fuel pump.

Best way to "clean" a Fuel tank? Replace it. It's cheaper in the long run and saves on time. I rec. a new sender unit as well.
Blow out fuel lines under car to pump.

Pull Bulkhead conn. and CLEAN WELL. Check other wiring for rats knawing on it.

Reason I was thinking of saving the original tank, was due to the factory undercoating on the tank, straps, etc.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

brakes you will most likely have to change out most of the brakes  , wheel cylinders for sure and soft lines maybe had line and  master too  . 

I was thinking all this, as brakes are really soft.  The tires are good for keeping the car off the ground, only 

[ACUDANUT]

Tell us the story on the car. You know..The type of car, where is was stored...We want s pic's.

1969 Dodge Charger R/T, stored indoors and dry, no pics - file name rejected due to size

Sounds like a lost treasure is about to surface.  Why 30 years of sitting ?

[hemi68charger]

I agree with most.. The important thing about turning over by hand initially and then squirting the cylinders with lubricant is avoiding the breakage of the ring lands of the pistons... I did this on my very first '70 Charger R/T back in the day.... I ended up breaking a couple of piston lands.. Even though they didn't go any where, I ended up with LOTS of blow-by...

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Tell us the story on the car. You know..The type of car, where is was stored...We want s pic's.

1969 Dodge Charger R/T, stored indoors and dry, no pics - file name rejected due to size

Sounds like a lost treasure is about to surface.  Why 30 years of sitting ?

Owner died. He had parked the car shortly before passing. Widow sat on the car for decades.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

I agree with most.. The important thing about turning over by hand initially and then squirting the cylinders with lubricant is avoiding the breakage of the ring lands of the pistons... I did this on my very first '70 Charger R/T back in the day.... I ended up breaking a couple of piston lands.. Even though they didn't go any where, I ended up with LOTS of blow-by...

Ouch! 

[moparstuart]

I agree with most.. The important thing about turning over by hand initially and then squirting the cylinders with lubricant is avoiding the breakage of the ring lands of the pistons... I did this on my very first '70 Charger R/T back in the day.... I ended up breaking a couple of piston lands.. Even though they didn't go any where, I ended up with LOTS of blow-by...

Ouch! 

tranny fluid  or mystery oil either one let it set down in there for a few days and it will break loose fine 

[ACUDANUT]

So when did you get to own it ?  I wish I could find a neat car like that (hidden from view)

[Cooter]

Personally, I would only free it up just to make tear down easier. I'd be planning on a Full on Overhaul. Not ness. a REBUILD, but an overhaul.

IE: Hone, Rings, Bearings, Cam/lifters, Gaskets.

[ws23rt]

Personally, I would only free it up just to make tear down easier. I'd be planning on a Full on Overhaul. Not ness. a REBUILD, but an overhaul.

IE: Hone, Rings, Bearings, Cam/lifters, Gaskets.

This is best. But if it turns over easy and compression is good I would like to start it up and find out if there is life left in it. It could very well run clean and have many miles left in it. If something is very special historically in a case like this than I would go with Cooter and not take any chances.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Personally, I would only free it up just to make tear down easier. I'd be planning on a Full on Overhaul. Not ness. a REBUILD, but an overhaul.

IE: Hone, Rings, Bearings, Cam/lifters, Gaskets.

This is best. But if it turns over easy and compression is good I would like to start it up and find out if there is life left in it. It could very well run clean and have many miles left in it. If something is very special historically in a case like this than I would go with Cooter and not take any chances.

It turns over easily. 

[Steve P.]

I would remove the plugs and squirt some penetrating oil in all the cylinders and let sit over night before attempting to crank the engine.

In a case where you really want to save the motor especially, but really the longer you take spraying the cylinders down, the better. So if you think you can wait 2 weeks to fire it up, pull the plugs and spray away.. In a few days try to turn it by hand and spray it again.. With luck there will be little to no rust and all will work out for the best.

Of course that best way to fire an engine you really want to keep that has been sitting for years and years is to pull it and rebuild it first.

[Steve P.]

Also, I don't like to put any gas through old lines of filters. I like to pinch off the fuel line and add gas to the carb via the carb vent. It won't run long, but enough to know what you have going on....

[Evolution69]

A video camera to record it all 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

A video camera to record it all 

Now THAT'S a GREAT idea  Thanks