Raising the Dead
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Raising the Dead
I recently recieved an 1982 Corvette from my grand parents. It has not been run on a daily basis since 1997 and has not been started at all 2001. I need to get this thing up and running so that i can test out all the parts to see what needs to be replaced. Any advice would be more than welcome. thanks
Mike
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
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From: Rockledge FL
change the oil,
make sure it has coolant
drain the tank and put fresh fuel in it.
charge battery.
might as well put new plugs and wires in it
probably not totally necessary but i would pull the distributer and get a oil pump primer to prelube the engine.
i have seen fuel pumps go bad sitting a long time so it might need replacement as well.
make sure it has brake fluid and not leaking near any of the calipers. on the first ride you might want it to stop.
i am sure that others will have more advice but that is what was given to me when i started an old 57 buick after sitting for 10 yearsn and it cranked right up (until the seals in the carb went out from being dry rotted)
make sure it has coolant
drain the tank and put fresh fuel in it.
charge battery.
might as well put new plugs and wires in it
probably not totally necessary but i would pull the distributer and get a oil pump primer to prelube the engine.
i have seen fuel pumps go bad sitting a long time so it might need replacement as well.
make sure it has brake fluid and not leaking near any of the calipers. on the first ride you might want it to stop.
i am sure that others will have more advice but that is what was given to me when i started an old 57 buick after sitting for 10 yearsn and it cranked right up (until the seals in the carb went out from being dry rotted)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
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From: Chattanooga TN
The old fuel would be my biggest worry. I'd drain the fuel tank, replace the fuel pump and that funky hose that connects it to the sending unit. I would drain as much fuel as I could from the rest of the system and change the fuel filter. I would change the oil and filter. I would probably pull the plugs and squirt Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder and spin it a few times. With all that done, try to start it. When you get it running, then you can worry about brakes. Much of this could vary depending on how/where the car was stored for the last 8 years, mileage, and overall condition.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
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From: Van Alstyne, TX
The old fuel would be my biggest worry. I'd drain the fuel tank, replace the fuel pump and that funky hose that connects it to the sending unit. I would drain as much fuel as I could from the rest of the system and change the fuel filter. I would change the oil and filter. I would probably pull the plugs and squirt Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder and spin it a few times. With all that done, try to start it. When you get it running, then you can worry about brakes. Much of this could vary depending on how/where the car was stored for the last 8 years, mileage, and overall condition.
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The old fuel would be my biggest worry. I'd drain the fuel tank, replace the fuel pump and that funky hose that connects it to the sending unit. I would drain as much fuel as I could from the rest of the system and change the fuel filter. I would change the oil and filter. I would probably pull the plugs and squirt Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder and spin it a few times. With all that done, try to start it. When you get it running, then you can worry about brakes. Much of this could vary depending on how/where the car was stored for the last 8 years, mileage, and overall condition.
Last edited by VetteGuy82; Jul 23, 2009 at 05:19 PM. Reason: cant spell
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If the fuel tank has nearly a full load of fuel, you probably don't have much moisture collecting in the tank. If it was nearly empty, the opposite may be true. If you have a bulb-type syphon, you can stick the suction end down to the bottom of the tank, then suction out about 4-8 ozs. of fuel into a glass jar. You should be able to see water at the bottom of the jar, if there is any significant amount in the tank. If you don't find water, the fuel is just flat; throw 5-6 gallons of premium fuel in the tank, change the fuel filter, oil, oil filter, check coolant and battery; then crank it up. Just don't rev it if/when it starts. Try to keep it running but don't put many revs to it until the oil gets circulated. Once you know that it will start, you can do the other stuff.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
P.S. You need to be aware that those tires...while they might have seen very little use 10 years ago...are still 10 year-old (or more) tires. They are risky, at best, to be driving on. Keep it under 40 mph until you can have them checked out or replaced. If you plan on driving it regularly, just change them out right away so there is no risk of blow-outs.
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If the fuel tank has nearly a full load of fuel, you probably don't have much moisture collecting in the tank. If it was nearly empty, the opposite may be true. If you have a bulb-type syphon, you can stick the suction end down to the bottom of the tank, then suction out about 4-8 ozs. of fuel into a glass jar. You should be able to see water at the bottom of the jar, if there is any significant amount in the tank. If you don't find water, the fuel is just flat; throw 5-6 gallons of premium fuel in the tank, change the fuel filter, oil, oil filter, check coolant and battery; then crank it up. Just don't rev it if/when it starts. Try to keep it running but don't put many revs to it until the oil gets circulated. Once you know that it will start, you can do the other stuff.