JohnGibson

I have done some repairs to my 66 and now want to get it out in a week or two (once the weather cooperates) and make sure everything is good. What do I need to do special to start it up after sitting a couple of months? Thanks in advance.

John

62Jeff

Nothing

jim lockwood

I agree with Jeff. Turn the key and go.

Jim

dahogan

Its worked for me the past 4 years....knock on wood.

brownacc

Turn the key and go.

Steve439

I'd charge the battery.

If it's a Holley I'd fill the primary bowl through the vent.

survivor66

I'm a firm believer in having oil on moving parts after draining away from sitting weeks on end. Someone posted a solution I use - crank a couple times first without setting the choke so it won't fire (plus fill the carb bowls). Then when you set the choke, there will be oil where it wasn't.

sub006

Two choices, both valid:

1. If it's your "baby", it's okay to "baby" it!

2. OTOH, it's well-proven, rugged, reliable '60s Chevy mechanicals, go ahead and crank it!

bluestreak63

Like Steve, said, charge the battery.

I would also check the following...

coolant level
oil level
brake fluid level

BTW, what kind of repairs have you done? Anything fuel, electrical, etc. related?

May want to think about having a fire extinguisher closeby and might also want to think about moving it out of the garage before you start it.

Also, take a good look around, make sure mice haven't decided on a short term rental.

JohnGibson

Thanks for the responses. I knew I didn't have to do anything with the C6s (other than keeping batteries charged) I have had, but this is the first time letting the 66 sit since I have had it.

If I crank it for a bit won't the carb fill with fuel instead of having to manually fill it?

Mike Ward

It's worked for me for the last 25, got tired of sore knuckles so stopped knocking.

JohnGibson

No nothing engine/electrical. Just front calipers with new seals and all new front and rear suspension. But I always have the extinguisher with me at all times anyway just in case.

bluestreak63

Yes, it should fill the bowls in short order. Basically by filling them ahead of time, your cutting down on cranking time (battery life, starter life, etc). But as long as there is no blockage in the fuel lines, it shouldn't take much to turn it over.

AZDoug

You can fill the carb bowl by cranking the motor over a few times. That will also prime the oil system.

Let sit for 5 minutes, open hood and look for carb leaks.

Cars burn up from leaking carbs.

If no leaks, crank motor until starts.

Doug

JohnGibson

I had leaks last summer from the end screws on the bowls loosening up. I am hoping I fixed that and it doesn't occur again

DansYellow66

I don't like cranking on an engine that has been sitting. It circulates and builds oil pressure slowly. I like to prime the Holley until it just starts to dribble out of the idle ports and then hit the key so that if fires immediately and builds pressure fast. I guess other theories abound.

FFBillysCor

Whatever you do, Do Not let any old gasoline that has been sitting in the tank get into your carburetor. This Ethanol blended gasoline starts to degrade very quickly, is highly hydroscopic ( which means it sucks moisture out of the air) and will go through what is called Phase Separation. The ethanol and water will separate from the gasoline and settle on the bottom of the tank, the next stop is the fuel line. Gasoline cannot be reconstituted after it has gone through Phase Separation. It cannot be remixed.If you did not use fuel stabilizer before storage, drain that mess out and use fresh fuel. This ethanol is not as good as they would have us believe. Good luck!

65GGvert

Wolf!!!

Mike Ward

JohnGibson

Luckily, I only put in 93 octane ethanol free gas. So I should be ok there.