What to do with a 1970 LT-1

[Ralph S.]

Car has been sitting in a dry garage for 20 years without being run, Should I just put gas and a battery in it and try to start it.

[Michael W.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

Change/flush all fluids before cranking.

[Bob R.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

Before trying to start the engine with the starter manually make sure the engine will turn. If the engine is free change the fluids use some fresh gas and try to start it.

[Terry M.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

What kind of gasoline is/was in it?

Mine sat for about 10 years in an unheated detached garage. I parked it with a full tank of alcohol free race fuel. When we extracted the car it had about 1/3 a tank of caramel colored liquid, but NO internal rust in the tank. Ralph knows I was prepared to have to replace the gas tank.

The car actually started and ran on what was in the tank, but we replaced the service replacement fuel pump following engine start-up. We had to carefully tighten the bowl screws on the Holley to stop the usual leaks. The Holley had last been rebuilt several decades ago and has the original appearing cork and fiber gaskets. Drained all the old liquid from the fuel tank at that time (when fuel pump was being changed) and installed five gallons of no alcohol race gas, and the rebuilt original fuel pump. Car then started and ran perfectly. We then replaced the engine oil and coolant.

I believe the key to the lack of my fuel system damage was no alcohol in the fuel that was stored in it, but all the alcohol lovers are entitled to their own opinions.

Ralph,
It is your car. You can do what you want with it.

[Gary C.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

Ralph,

Have helped several C1's that have been sitting for years. Good luck,

Gary
....

Prior to starting:
1) changed oil and filter
2) removed the distributor and spun up the oil pump for internal lubrication and reinstalled the distributor
3) removed spark plugs and spun the starter over for a while. If the engine wouldn't turn freely, then we soaked the cylinders for a couple of days with Kroil Oil. The repeated steps 1-3
4) installed new spark plugs
5) fresh gas in a 2 1/2 gallon can with a rubber pickup hose connected to the fuel pump

[Bill W.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

When I bought my 65 it had sat outside for 7 years . I checked the oil installed a battery and run a rubber hose into a gas can . It cranked but did not start .I unplugged the TI plug and plugged it in & out a few times to clean the contacts . tried it again and it started and ran fine. I did have it on jack stands incase the clutch was stuck .

[Roy V.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

I'd go with what Mr. Chesnut said

[Patrick B.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

When I bought my 65 it had sat outside for 7 years . I checked the oil installed a battery and run a rubber hose into a gas can . It cranked but did not start .I unplugged the TI plug and plugged it in & out a few times to clean the contacts . tried it again and it started and ran fine. I did have it on jack stands incase the clutch was stuck .

That's a good point about the clutch being stuck. Unless Ralph lives in a very dry place a stuck clutch is a near certainty. It's easy to deal with later after the engine is running well enough to start in gear, but would not be good to encounter with a gas can and hose involved. Also, I would spin up the oil pump using an old distributor housing and a drill to have the assurance of seeing oil in the rocker arms. After 20 years the Holley gaskets would be dried out and the needle and seat gummed up. A carb cleaning and new gaskets would be worth it to avoid likely internal and external gas leakage and fire risk.

[Wes S.]

Re: What to do with a 1970 LT-1

I agree with pulling the distributor and spinning up the oil pump. How about one step further, pull the plugs and with a pump oil can squirt some two -cycle engine oil in each cylinder prior to starting motor. Two cycle oil is designed to burn so it should disappear quickly.