Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

[Larry E.]

Hay Duke; Need your advice on the above. L72 has been in hibernation for about 2 Years.

1) Pour some gas (In my case 100LL Av.Gas) in the front tube of carburetor and start it
up(Always fires up with no hesitation) By doing this we know it takes a moment for the Oil
Pressure to register.

2)Turn on the ignition and turn the engine over till Oil Pressure registers then pour some gas
in the Carb. to complete startup.

3)"TAKE YOUR PICK ON THE ABOVE"> Makes little or no difference.

These are my option that I will do; nothing more please. Thanks in advance>Larry

[John F.]

Re: Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

Use a flashlight to see how the gas is in the tank. Check the oil level. If it looks good, you are good to go!

[Duke W.]

Re: Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

My "modern" cars get stored for 6-18 months at a time. Of course they all have port EFI systems. What I do is cycle the ignition three or four times to the "on" position as each of these cycles energizes the fuel pump for about one second that pressurizes the fuel system.

Then I attempt to start by cranking the engine about six times. If it doesn't start in that time I attempt a second time, and the engine usually starts right up!

On a carbureted engine I would fill the fuel bowl(s) through the bowl vent(s) with an irrigation syringe that you can get from a medical or dental office. These have thin, flexible plastic tubes, not a needle.

On a Holley fill the front bowl until fuel just starts to dribble out of the booster venturi nozzles. Then using the throttle lever pump twice and be sure you see fuel come out the accelerator pump nozzles. Also verify that the choke sets. You don't need to fill the secondary bowl.

Give a minute or two for the fuel to evaporate, then crank.

Oil pressure should come up within a few seconds. after the engine starts

Some think they should change the oil before attempting to start. This is a BAD idea because it will take more than a few seconds to fill the oil filter. Anytime a car is put in storage, if the oil is due for a change, change it before storage. Oil does not "age" while the car is in storage and you can consider that the oil is fresh on the day the car is removed from storage.

Duke

[Larry E.]

Re: Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

Thanks Duke. Will do option #1 then. Your the best. Larry

[Mark E.]

Re: Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

I prime the engine if it hasn't run for more than a year or so. Cheap insurance against a wiped cam or scored bearings..

[Keith W.]

Re: Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

Great information above.

Mark, what do you mean by priming the engine?

[Mark E.]

Re: Question For Duke(3 Options) For Starting Up A L72(66) From Hibernation

Great information above.

Mark, what do you mean by priming the engine?

Priming is a method to pressurize the oil system by spinning the oil pump before starting the engine. This helps ensure bearings and cam have lubrication prior to start up to minimize wear. Folks sometimes will also squirt oil into the cylinders to lubricate the cylinder walls. It's a common practice for new or rebuilt engines being started for the first time, or if an engine hasn't been started for an extended period.

Lots of videos and explanations for the process online. It's an easy process for Chevy V8s with a distributor. See my post in this thread for a summary:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?129836-67-L-79-been-sitting-for-4-years-need-some-motor-advice&highlight=engine+oil+prime