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i am going to help a friend who owns an 85 Vette that has been sitting since 2000 without being started.
Besides the obvious, gas, gas tank, oil and filter, lube cylinders tires and brakes, what is common problems that need to be address before starting.
Thanks,
Joe
You pretty much nailed it, of course with new battery and all. If rodents could have been present, then they may have chewed up wiring so be on the lookout for that as well. Check the intake for nests if that's the case. Corrosion could have formed on the connections as well during that time. Why not address all those issues and give it a whirl? it may just start right up, after all it's a small block chevy!
...as an afterthought, I would do that before starting it, actually. But, if you have to move it, I guess you're going to have to turn the key, it would kind of defeat the purpose.
What kind of ''storage'' is it in at the moment?
Here's a good post (post #18) on checking codes...
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Not necessarily before starting but Id also change the power steering fluid, transmission fluid, rear diff, and hydraulic clutch fluid if it'd a manual.
Thanks for the compliment on my cars and all the advice so far.
The car has been stored inside an heated area in a basement under a home.
The car is a 4 speed with a 3 speed overdrive.
I will remove the distributor and pre-oil the engine, remove the spark plugs and spin the engine to get oil up top.
I heard that the injectors tend to go bad, will this be an issue?
Joe
PS
This is another one of my cars and the LT-1 is a new addition.
I had my 86 in storage 18 years, I drained the fuel and ran it til it died. When I resurrected it I put all new fluids and flushed the brakes it was all quick and easy. It still ran a bit rough for the first 1000 miles but the past 3 years I drive it every week and stick to 76 or Chevron gasoline and knock on wood but man it runs like a new car again, these things are machines they need to be driven to keep in tip top running condition.
Every time I drive I am flat amazed it's a 40 year old car with 40 year old technology but drives and handles as good as any normal 2026 other than the new C8 obviously is a different ballpark same as when the 86 was new, nothing like it existed.
Beautiful LT-1 and Olds 442!! Growing up with Mopars I was always comfortable with the carb era cars as well. Getting the 85 should be a fun and interesting challenge for you if you like that kind of thing. This forum is great and most if not all the issues have been well documented. Look forward to updates! -Rusty
I would pay attention to anything soft... rubber... all vaccume hoses, coolant hoses, brake lines, etc... I didn't see anyone mention coolant exchange... but 26 year old coolant has probably turned acidic by now... Good Luck on it! Post a pic...
The factory injectors gradually deteriorate with the methanol in gasoline now; GM engineers couldn't predict the future. You may or may not experience any problems initially. One symptom is difficult hot starting, as the injectors leak and hot engines require finer fuel metering accuracy than when cold starting. If you do change the injectors, change the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm too; it is rubber.
Last edited by 4indog; May 20, 2026 at 10:54 PM.
Reason: added info
Okay, I just got my '85 going after setting for 20 years. Pull the pump/sending unit out of the tank and replace it. Drain ALL the old gas out and wipe down the bladder before installing the new pump assy. New fuel filter too. Pull the plugs and put something like Lucas Oil product in the cylinders to soak for a while. Turn it over with the plugs OUT to remove the oil.in them before attempting to start. Tap the injectors with a screwdriver handle if they don't fire. If it starts then dies each time, your injectors are stuck. I tested mine with a jig I made so I could fire them independently without running the motor. A new battery and ALL fluid/filter changes should go without saying. Change the overdrive fluid/filter too. Don't try and start it without checking that. I got mine running this way, however, my MAF and Burn Off sensor were screwed which caused it to burn ridiculously rich. Running great now.
85 Coming out of storage.
