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Engine start-up after long 6 month sleep?

  • Thread starter Thread starter geostang351
  • Start date Start date Apr 25, 2005

geostang351

Member
Mar 30, 2005
946
0
17
Danb., CT
Apr 25, 2005
#1
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #1
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

Active Member
Nov 19, 2004
1,258
0
36
Aldergrove, B.C. Canada
Apr 25, 2005
#2
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #2
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

Member
Jun 3, 2003
150
0
16
Oklahoma City
Apr 25, 2005
#3
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #3
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

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
691
0
16
Victoria BC
Apr 25, 2005
#4
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #4
I just disconnect the distributor and turn it over with the starter a bit before firing it right up.
 
T

tomabram

Banned
Apr 1, 2005
66
0
0
Apr 25, 2005
#5
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #5
Just start the thing. The motor will be dry after only a few days of sitting.
 

geostang351

Member
Mar 30, 2005
946
0
17
Danb., CT
Apr 25, 2005
#6
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #6
Thx boyz!
 

RGS0907

New Member
Aug 21, 2003
429
1
0
New Jersey
Apr 25, 2005
#7
  • Apr 25, 2005
  • #7
tomabram said:
Just start the thing. The motor will be dry after only a few days of sitting.
Click to expand...

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

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Apr 26, 2005
#8
  • Apr 26, 2005
  • #8
Great68 said:
I just disconnect the distributor and turn it over with the starter a bit before firing it right up.
Click to expand...
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

New Member
Nov 6, 2004
589
0
0
Columbus, OH
Apr 26, 2005
#9
  • Apr 26, 2005
  • #9
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.
 
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