Engine start-up after long 6 month sleep?

[geostang351]

Hey guys, what do you do to prepare your engine after it sits all winter with no start up at all durng the 6 months it sleeps? Do you pull the distributor and prime the oil pump? If so, what do you hook-up to the drill; an extended rod?

Thanks,
Geo

 

[krash kendall]

You use an old distributor with the cam gear ground off. Install it, hook a drill to the top of it and you're good to go. You can also buy a rod for your drill at an auto parts store.

 

[whwright]

Six months isn't really very long for an engine to sit. I usually just start it up!

Typically, I have to charge the battery first, but you get the idea.

If the car has sat for a year or two (and yes, I have let cars sit that long before) I pull the coil wire and crank the engine for ten seconds at a time, resting five seconds between cranks. I do this until I either see the oil pressure coming up, or ten or twelve times (in other words, until I get impatient).

Then I connect the coil wire, pump it three times, and fire it up.

So far, this hasn't done any damage (that I know of) and it's a lot easier than pulling the dizzy to prime the pump.

Wayne.

 

[Great68]

I just disconnect the distributor and turn it over with the starter a bit before firing it right up.

 

[tomabram]

Just start the thing. The motor will be dry after only a few days of sitting.

 

[geostang351]

Thx boyz!

 

[RGS0907]

Just start the thing. The motor will be dry after only a few days of sitting.

Synthetic oil is supposed to hang onto the top end of the engine & not drain back into the pan. At least that's what I hope.

 

[D.Hearne]

I just disconnect the distributor and turn it over with the starter a bit before firing it right up.

I second that. I've torn down engines that sat outdoors for much longer( years) and the crank and rod bearings were still lubricated.

 

[84convertablegt]

one recommendation i would make is before you put your car away for the winter, to put some stabul fuel stabilizer in the tank and let the car run for a while to let it circulate through out the fuel system, to prevent varnish from forming in your carb. also, after u get it started, obviously change the oil.