Charge the battery, pump the gas to set the choke, turn the key and go.
Starting a garaged 1972 Corvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 11
From: Johnston, Rhode Island
Starting a garaged 1972 Corvette
Hello,
I am a new 1972 Corvette owner as of last October. My car was garaged in late November and has not been started since. A new battery was installed in the car in October, before I purchased the car. In early January I disconnected the negative cable from the battery, but it was probably already drained by then. I also placed gas stabilizer in the tank before the car was stored. I plan on getting the car out of storage tomorrow. Is there any special way to get the car started after its been sitting this long? I imagine I will probably have to jump it to get it going, but is there anything else I should do? It's been many years since I had a car with a carburetor. Any starting tips would be appreciated. Thanks for the help guys!
I am a new 1972 Corvette owner as of last October. My car was garaged in late November and has not been started since. A new battery was installed in the car in October, before I purchased the car. In early January I disconnected the negative cable from the battery, but it was probably already drained by then. I also placed gas stabilizer in the tank before the car was stored. I plan on getting the car out of storage tomorrow. Is there any special way to get the car started after its been sitting this long? I imagine I will probably have to jump it to get it going, but is there anything else I should do? It's been many years since I had a car with a carburetor. Any starting tips would be appreciated. Thanks for the help guys!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
make sure there is gas in the carburetor. If you can't hear or see gas come out when you open the throttle, you should fill up the float bowl before trying to start. Otherwise you will have to sit there and crank the engine until the fuel pump fills the float bowls.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Don't hold it to the floor. Once you tap it to set the choke, if all is right with the settings it will fire up once the carb fills with gas. Mine sits for weeks to months at a time during projects and it eventually fires up. You hold it to the floor if it floods and needs to have plenty of clean air through it to clear the cylinders.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
You have to push the gas pedal to the floor ONCE to set the choke any time the engine is cold. For a warm start, try just cranking it first and only give it some gas if it doesn't start right away.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 34
From: Ontario
Fully charge the battery, pump the gas pedal once to the floor and take your foot off , crank it for about 10 seconds ( or untill it fires ) wait 20 seconds , pump it once again and crank it for 10 more seconds, repeat untill it fires .
If you just keep cranking the starter for long periods without letting it cool you will damage it . Don't try to prime fill the float bowl unless you know what you are doing and keep the air cleaner on while you are trying to start the engine . You don't need a carb fire on a fiberglass car .
Bill
If you just keep cranking the starter for long periods without letting it cool you will damage it . Don't try to prime fill the float bowl unless you know what you are doing and keep the air cleaner on while you are trying to start the engine . You don't need a carb fire on a fiberglass car .
Bill
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From: Southbound
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