How should an engine be started that has not run for 7 years?
 

I am working on a 75' that has not been started the last 7 years. After doing some research online I found that some people suggest

- drop the gas tank and remove the sending unit power wash the inside of the tank well, if at all possible with HOT WATER.

- unhook the fuel lines at the carb and fuel pump, charcol canister and use compressed air to clean the fuel lines out.

- check cylinder compression (MIN 100 to 110PSI) for all 8 cylinders for a good running engine that has some milage on it.

- change the oil,

- replace the spark plugs

- then turn engine over by hand 2 times before starting


in addition others suggest that the carb might need rebuilding and that when changing oil it should be done with Marvel Mystery Oil because it is really good for the gas and the (existing) oil in the engine

Is this pretty much correct, or is there something that is missing ?


Thanks for any input.

I think there might be a little bit to much advice here. Wile 7 years is a long time it hasn't been for ever. I'd start by pumping Gas out and losening the Drain Plug on the Engine and check for water. The Engine will probably have some Mosture in it so after its heated up and the mosture is in the Oil its time to change it not before. Charge or replace the battey and see what happens! I'd probably look the Brakes over real good before driveing it then go out and warm everything up and then start changing Fluids.

Make sure you have oil pressure before trying to start it. Preferrably by removing the distrubutor and turning the oil pump with a priming tool, but at a very minimum, pull the power wire to the distributor so it can't fire, and turn the engine over till the oil pressure comes up. This is after you do the above steps and are ready to try to start it.

I like those suggestions and would add removing the spark plugs and shooting some fogging oil in each cyl to protect them.

The fuel will be bad and may be clogged in the carb

Thanks all. I appreciate it.

Do I have to be worried about the piston rings being brittle or a seized up engine before I start it?

NO I don't think so.

I just fired up my '70 today that I bought earlier this week. It had not been started in almost ten years. I did all your steps with the tank, lines, water hoses etc. I poured some MM down each sprak plug hole and the intake, waited two days and turned the crank over by hand this morning. I dropped in a battery and after making sure the engine was oiling (as stated above) she fired right up.

Thanks so much everybody. I will get started this week after I had some turkey....

Good luck! Please report back once you get to it, would love to hear the update on how it went for you.

well, the tank appears to be bone dry.

wonder if I need to take it out and clean it ?
Same with the fuel lines. Would be great if I could skip that step.

I would go with a full oil change as soon as possible or before starting it up too. I mean diff oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc... Good luck! :cheers:

Thanks I was planning on it since it has been a while...

What do you think about the tank and fuel lines ? Do I need to clean them out? The tank seems like it is very dry.

If the fuel hose shows the least bit of cracking I'd replace it for sure. Wouldn't be a bad idea to do it anyway if you're willing.

Although some claim you should always keep your tank near full to displace water I personally don't believe that's best. If your tank is empty that's a good opportunity to vacuum out any pieces of trash you see down there around the pick-up screen. I can't drive my '73 right now so I took the gas out and vacuumed the trash out and put the cap on tight. I might get gung ho and put a small bag of deccisent down in there with a hook on it.

For what it's worth, here is what I would do.

• Pour Marvel Mystery Oil down the spark plug holes.
• Let it soak overnight or a couple of days even.
• Turn the motor over by hand a couple of times
• Drain the oil and fill with some fresh good stuff(maybe even some break in additive)
• Disconnect the fuel line at the carb
• With the spark plugs still out turn over on the starter
• Watch for oil pressure
• Put the plugs back in and hook up the carb to a fuel container with fresh fuel.
• Check the position of the distributor and fire it up.

If it doesn't start replace the carb with a loaner, borrowed or stolen one.
If it does run fine replace all the fuel hoses and flush the tank.

I would pre-oil (with fresh oil) the engine before turning it over. Just like you would before fireing a new engine.
Eddie

thanks

I also got the advice to use 'Sea Foam' to treat the fuel system.

Will give it a try.

Sea Foam is good stuff but is not a miracle worker, it's good to treat the fuel system of a running car.
But it can't get rid of seven years worth of crud and corrosion in a tank.
It also does not miraculously fix rotten fuel lines.
So for now I wouldn't waste my money on Sea Foam.

would you take the tank out and clean it and the lines ?
I talked to a guy and he suggested like you to disconnect the lines at the carb and crank the engine. The old fuel that is in the lines should come out. I believe there is not much left in the tank. Then change out the fuel filter and connect back to the carb.

Bucksy, I am not recommending anything, I'm just stating what I would do in a similar situation.
Fuel line is cheap, you buy it by the foot at any discount auto store, I'd replace it all.
I would drop the tank and flush it or have it professionally cleaned, corrosion in the tank will have you chasing issues for months to come.:smash:
Anyways you mentioned in your first post about starting it, nothing about driving it (yet).:D
So me thinks the prio is to get the engine running with a separate fuel source and leave the tank for later.:thumbs:

I did the above steps the engine is running but from a different fuel source. I couldn't get any fuel out of the line after I disconnected it from the carb. There is a little bit fresh gas and sea foam in it so something should come out...

I really want to avoid having to drop th tank. Can I disconnect the line at the tank and try to blow it out with air before I get into anything else ?