Just Got My Dads 1971 Charger 500 383 NEED HELP TRYING TO START

[cudaken]

 My self, here is how I did mine.

First I pulled the intake and dumped Marvel Mystery Oil down the intake ports in the heads. The vales that where closed was oiled, one open let the oil down in the cylinders which is a good thing! Plus I wanted to see what may have died in the intake!  

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Then I pulled the plugs, remember that funny looking funnel laying on the engine? It came from Advances Auto Parts and was only $4.95, I bought two and added the extra tubing for a longer reach. The end was a perfect fit for the spark plug hole. That is how I got the cylinders full with Marvel Mystery Oil.

Then I pulled the distributor and got a preoiling tool (about $10.00) Mancini.
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/. You will all so need a 1/2 drill to turn the shaft. I got mine from Harbor Freight for $32.00 or so.

I all so pulled the fan so I could turn the motor easier. While I was there I added a splash of color!  

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Make sure you change the oil! That is if it will drain after 20 years! If it comes out in clumps after what will come out does I would plug up the pan and added some Kerosene, say 2 gallons and run the preoiler to get the gunk flowing then change out with oil! Make sure you replaces the oil filter with every step!

With as long as your has slept, I would prelube the engine for a good hour or so at 5 minutes intervals over a period of a week. Reason I say that is so you don't cook the cheap drill! Mine started smoking after 10 minutes or so, but never died! It seemed fine for a few minutes at a time there after.

Coat the cam with cam break in lube, another reason to pull the intake and add the Zinc additive in the oil. Pull the vale covers to see when oil is flowing to the heads. Prelube some more and slowly try turning the crank bolt (You will need a 1 and 1/4 socket) till she moves. Mine made a faint groan, more felt than heard and the crank moved. Prelube some more, turn just a little and repeat till you make it 360 degrees. Then do it again just a little faster. After a few times around, hook up a good battery and if the starter will still work crank her over while someone is running the drill prelubing. Places your finger in a spark plug hole while this is being done. If your finger is pushed out, you still have compression!  

My Road Runner moving for the first time in 8 years!

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Oh, remember that funny looking funnel, used it to get the Road Runner running.

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Good luck and don't hurry! She has been sleeping 20 years so give her some time to wake up!

Ken

[Pete in NH]

Ken,

That's a great write up and a very good way to really make sure the engine is well lubricated. I'm not sure what level of experience the original poster has and perhaps he can tell us how familiar he is with working on cars and what tools he might have. He might find all this a little intimidating and need some hands on help. Perhaps the OP can let everyone know where he is located to see if some local help might be available.

[nvrbdn]

good point, there should be helping hands fairly close to his location that could assist in this.

[cudaken]

If you where to under take this a lone Friends make it fun and not work remember one think! You can't break it, it does not run! 

Mechanical work is not really hard. I remember the first time I took the Road Runner original engine apart! I was 19 and was in the Army at Ft Bragg. I used what was called a Army Craft Shop. At the time only thing I could really do was set the timing and points! 

With a little guidance help from the shop manger I pulled the carb, intake, heads, cam and installed a new intake, headers, carb and cam. Boy I was proud on my self! 

Far as guidance, you have us! Plus with being able to post pictures that is a big help!

Here are some tips.

1 Take pictures of each step before and during.

2 Get a lot of plastic bags and label group of parts / bolts. 

3 Take notes and take pictures of what you made the notes about.

4 Just do everything backwards when reinstalling the parts you took off.

5 When something does not fit, think about it and try again but don't forces it till you ask us about it! Somethings do need a bigger hammer!   

Again, remember you can not break it, you can only make it better even if you mess up!

Just because you never did does not mean you cannot do it!

Cuda Ken

[herbg123]

My expertise is limited but i am a quick learner.  I have a decent mechanic that (works on a great deal of cars i flip at auction)  so im just going to show him the thread.  He already gets a lot of info from threads of this matter about cars i buy from auction.  Im going to make sure we take our time on this because im keeping this and not a  :popcrn:money maker.  The more suggestions the better.  also he was telling me i should leave windows cracked so can air out with the cover on it.  I open the car up and there was a puddle in the drivers back floor seat.  Condensation?  I need some tires will any 14" tires work just to hold air and roll. 

[herbg123]

I am in the 757 Hampton Roads Area Virginia

[ACUDANUT]

So you want to Flip your Dad's Charger...Hmmmm

[cudaken]

So you want to Flip your Dad's Charger...Hmmmm

Well if he does, it better than it being a Mopar Lawn Jockey!

I open the car up and there was a puddle in the drivers back floor seat.  Condensation? 

Unlikely but maybe. 

More pictures would help, have you taken the trap off all the way yet? Been in the trunk? By the way, when was the carpet pulled?

Far as keeping the windows cracked so no water cannot get in? Well that not a bad idea. Is the trap breathable, that is real important?

If it was my Charger, my biggest worry right now would be the frame. Sitting in grass and open dirt can cause bad rust damage. From what I can tell from the first picture the body still looks pretty good. There will be a rust hole in the front fender but not a God Awful one from the way it looks.

If the frame has rust damage, never fear there are repair parts made. 

Have you tried to inflate the tires? They might surprise you!

Ken

[Pete in NH]

I think the standard 14" wheel width was 5-1/2 inches unless the car had disc brakes or 11" drums. If so, the biggist 14" tire I think you can get on there is a P215/70R14 in newer radials. 14" tires are getting to be harder to come by these days. Perhaps someone else will have some other thoughts.

As Ken suggested you have nothing to loose by seeing if the tires on the car will hold air.