starting up advice of long term storage C3

[Dale P.]

I have a 68 427 that has been sitting for about 6 years. there was no pre-storage work done, it was simply driven into the garage and turned off. It has been there for about 6 years. the garage was not heated but is fairly dry. I know I need to drain the fuel, etc, but I am concerned about the cylinders walls, pistons, etc. Should I use oil, WD40 or something else to spray into the cylidner before I roll the motor over by hand?

Of course i'll change the oil/filter and prime before trying to actually start it up.

any other cautions I should be aware of or do before I actually try to start it up?

[Michael W.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

Forget the WD40, in fact banish it from your garage. It can do more harm than good and is not suitable for your present purposes. Spray some regular motor oil into the cylinders if you feel it will help.

I would think that a dried up carb might be the biggest concern. Have a fire extinguisher handy.

[Stuart F.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

Back in the day we used to use "Wynn's Friction Proofing" packed into the cylinders and cullapsed the valves for storage. But since yours was never preped for storage I'm not sure if it will work now, or for that matter whether it is still available. There are lots of good prducts and oils that will do the trick as Michael suggests. I agree on WD-40. It is wacky nu nu and causes more trouble than it's worth, and shouldn't even be in your garage. Besides, it stinks!

Stu Fox

[Edward B.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

Kudos to the comments on WD-40. It is a water dispersant, not a lubricant. In recent years WD-40 has developed a totally unfounded reputation as a cure all for anything that ails or threatens moving parts. Do yourself, and your possessions, a favor and use substances that were created as lubricants, or rust busters, or whatever. There is no single product that excels in all areas. Choose your tools wisely and you will be rewarded.

[Jim L.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

Yesterday I started my '57 fuelie which had been sitting since '08. As with your car, I didn't do any kind of storage prep because, well, I didn't realize it would be sitting so long.

My start up procedure consisted of pouring some fuel in the bowl, making sure the special FI pump wasn't locked up, and turning the key.

Engine started right up and ran just fine on 5+ year old gas.

My recommendation is that you not over think this problem and that you do pretty much as I did.... put gas in the carburetor and turn the key.

Jim

[Patrick H.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

My recommendation is that you not over think this problem and that you do pretty much as I did.... put gas in the carburetor and turn the key.

Jim

Same here.
I've seen cars start right up and run fine with gas of this age. Just get some in the carb first.

Oh, and check underhood for mice work.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

Yesterday I started my '57 fuelie which had been sitting since '08. As with your car, I didn't do any kind of storage prep because, well, I didn't realize it would be sitting so long.

My start up procedure consisted of pouring some fuel in the bowl, making sure the special FI pump wasn't locked up, and turning the key.

Engine started right up and ran just fine on 5+ year old gas.

My recommendation is that you not over think this problem and that you do pretty much as I did.... put gas in the carburetor and turn the key.

Jim

WHAT HE SAID. As long as the engine was closed up heads,valve covers etc. get a new battery & a little gas in the carb. Have someone look for fuel leaks while starting it.

[Paul J.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

Dale, just start it. If it had been stored outside I would recommend checking to be sure that it turned freely and maybe squirting some oil in the cylynders, but this is not necessary. The biggest wear will occur from having no oil in the upper parts of the engine for a second or two, which won't hurt anything. If this concerns you, you can remove the distributor and run up the oil pressure with a tool, or remove the coil wire and crank it for a few turns. Personally, I would'nt bother with this.

Paul

[Michael W.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

For what it's worth, I participated in an exercise many years ago in which a customer had inadvertantly left three unwanted and unloved brand new engines at the back of a warehouse. He was reluctant to put them in service as-is and my group was interested to see, amongst other things, how much if any oil was still clinging to critical surfaces.

After teardown, none of us, with several centuries worth of collective experience amongst us and each possessing highly calibrated eyeballs, could tell the difference between these three waifs and engines that had been sitting only a day or two without use.

[Robert K.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

My 427 sat for about 10 years. When I parked it the float was sticking, dumping gas. I put a little gas down the carb and turned the key. It fired right up and idled fine. Took it for a test drive and it ran great. The float fixed itself. Hey 8 year old gas may not have much ethanol in it.

[Steven B.]

Re: starting up advice of long term storage C3

My brother-in-law started his Firebird that had sat outside for about five years and it started with a new battery. Two years ago another brother-in-law started deceased father-in-law's '66 Riveria that had been started 2-3 times in 8 years with charger. It didn't seem to hurt either of them (cars that is).