Could use some help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Could use some help
Trying to help my neighbor start his 75 vette after 15 years,, We have taken out the plugs, taken off the water pump, verified it is in Nuetral,,just to see if we can manualy turn the crank puley (which we thought we could do), we are just trying to see if the motor may be seized or not. I know this is a convoluted post, but I thought I would post as we were working on the car...
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
really could use some help
Okay, I realize the first post was pretty abrupt, but we could really use some help.. Are we on the right track that the crank pulley should turn at this point or no ??
Thanks
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If you have the plugs out, you should be able to put a ratchet or breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt and the engine should turn very easily. Was the car sitting in a garage or outside all those years?
My car had sat for 15 years when I bought it. I drained the fuel, replaced the plugs, wires and battery, put in new fuel and it fired right up. I did have to replace the master cylinder and calipers before it was safe to drive.
Good Luck
My car had sat for 15 years when I bought it. I drained the fuel, replaced the plugs, wires and battery, put in new fuel and it fired right up. I did have to replace the master cylinder and calipers before it was safe to drive.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Okay
Okay, thanks for the replies,,,here i what we have,, car has been sitting for 15 yrs inside a garage ,, it is a standard trans,,that was engaged for those years, although we have been able to shift it into neutral to move it in the driveway.. I have tried to turn the pulley with my hands and it wont budge,, I do see four or so bolts on the front of the crank pulley,,Do i try to turn the middle one or one of the other ones...
Thanks
Thanks
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
You want to turn the center bolt on the crank pully. The one on my '73 takes a 5/8" socket. It should turn pretty easily. If it doesn't, spray some oil in each cylinder and let it sit overnight then try it again.
I would just try using the key. If it's been in a dry garage, it should be fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Oh, one other thing that I found on my car. I changed the thermostat before I started it. It had a big blob of crustified antifreeze on it. It was totally blocking off the thermostat. It would have overheated in a matter of minutes if I hadn't changed it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Alright.
Well, here is some more detail...Gas has been drained from the tank (but still some probably in the lines), I have taken the plugs out, water pump off, drained the old coolant, valve covers off,,so all the basics should be complete,,once I finished taking all these things off, I thought I could turn it by hand, but I guess I was wrong, I wanted to try with a wrench on the center bolt ,but a little afraid I would break it off..I will gently try to tomorrow, so as you guys has stated it should turn wit the key turned and letting some oil (I bought Marvel mystery oil for the cylinders) sit overnight.
I will keep you guys updated, thanks
I will keep you guys updated, thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Something else that would be a good idea is to pull the distributor and use a drill to run the oil pump and pump oil thru the motor. For one that has set that long I would take the extra step before starting. Sounds like you have done the basics
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
since it's a stickshift, With the car in gear rock the whole car back and forth, you should see the crank pully move pretty easy if the motor isn't seized
Last edited by jcswm; Jul 15, 2007 at 08:17 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Good Idea. This should work as long as the car is on a flat surface. Just don't rely on the brakes. They probably don't work after sitting that long.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
:-)
Well some good news,,after much work and priming the engine with oil, it actually turned a couple times (via a wrench on the crank pulley). So, our next step seems to be the rest of the oil in the engine, new plugs, belts, put the carb on and new battery and give it a shot,, anythign we are missing ???
Thansk to all for the help,, we are halfway there !!!!
Thansk to all for the help,, we are halfway there !!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
If you get it started be prepared for the radiator to leak like sieve once the thermostat opens. If the radiator is aluminum like the one on my 72 it will be pretty corroded after sitting for that long. If there is a lot of Yellow crusty stuff on the radiator fins - look out.
BTW, Dewitt's can solve the corroded radiator problem.
Rick B.
BTW, Dewitt's can solve the corroded radiator problem.
Rick B.