Just start it...or take it apart?

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Jul 25, 2002 | 12:05 PM

Mike71

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From: Camden Ohio

Just start it...or take it apart?

Long story short for those who remember, bought a 79 sitting for 5 years w/o being started, towed it home, let it sit for 4 more months now I'm ready to drive drive drive!!

What should I do first to the motor before starting it up? Would be nice to just put in the key and crank it up but I know better.

What should I do to be safe?

Thanks,
Mike :seeya

Jul 25, 2002 | 12:15 PM

Blues Mobile

Burning Brakes

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Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (Mike71)

I've always heard that it's good to unhook the plugs wires and crank it without a spark for a minute before firing it right up. - that's supposed to get lube everywhere you want without the motor turning too fast.

Some might say that it's a good idea to empty the old gas and check the status of your tank - there might be some condensate or rust in there after sitting for so long -

Disclaimer : - I'm a Bubba and have never done this -

Jul 25, 2002 | 12:15 PM

MasterDave

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From: Dove Mountain Arizona

Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (Mike71)

New fuel, oil/filter and drain & flush the radiator. I'd pull the plugs, put some Marvel Mystery oil in the cyls and crank 'til you get oil pressure. Then after you make sure it will go, make sure it will stop. :cheers:

Jul 25, 2002 | 12:24 PM

Fevre

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From: Living in the Hartland

Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (Mike71)

Priming the oil system would be a good idea in my mind along with the things already mentioned. Check the dist to make sure there is no rust under cap and on rotor. Maybe check tranny and diff fluid levels.

Jul 25, 2002 | 12:27 PM

randy72

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From: Harrison Township, Mi

Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (Mike71)

pull the dist. and prime the oil pump before cranking it over. It also wouldn't hurt to pull the plugs and squirt a little oil down each cylinder. As long as the plugs are out, might as well replace them. Drain and replace fuel. It wouldn't hurt to drain and refill the cooling system, but at a min. make sure it's topped off. Make sure that it's in park and make sure the master cylinder is full.....I realize that this sounds like common sense, but I just bought a 66 Mustang that had been sitting and the car wasn't in park and the mast. cyl. was empty when the guy fired it up for me to hear....Luckily, the car was outside and not near any others. Check for any obvious bubba dangers...fuel leaks, loose or frayed wires, fan tight, belts tight, etc...might not hurt to change the belts before starting as well.

Jul 25, 2002 | 12:31 PM

Mike71

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From: Camden Ohio

Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (MasterDave)

Quote:

Then after you make sure it will go, make sure it will stop. :cheers:

That was the first thing I replaced, the pads were thick but shot, disks gone and hoses cracked so stoping is taken care of.

Jul 25, 2002 | 12:58 PM

bb69

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From: Holly MI

Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (Mike71)

You can get a decent oil primer at Autozone. They call it a free loaner program, but you pay full price and then return it when you're done. All you need is a drill to turn the shaft. It worked well when I built my engine. After you prime it, you may want to use some ether or bottle cap's worth of gas to get the engine fired quickly. I would also recommend changing the plugs before you start it.

Good luck.

Jul 25, 2002 | 02:06 PM

Robert N

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From: Tucson AZ

Re: Just start it...or take it apart? (bb69)

While mine sat far longer than yours, my site (in sig) contains quite a bit of info an what I did to get her running after an extended sit. You will not need to do everything, but its worth the read.