haven't ran engine in a while ..?

stangman16 · Jan 1, 2012

I have a '66 Mustang coupe 302 converted to '91 mustang EFI. What do I need to do in order to start the engine to prevent any damage from not starting it in a long time?

It's been more then several months since i have turned the engine over and started the car, as I've been working on the body and have the gas tank out. Nonetheless I need to start it and get the oil flowing and any rust out of the cylinders. I probably need to change the oil first, should I put a bottle of seafoam in the oil prior to starting and changing the oil?

..I promise I will start it once a month and not neglect it like this again...

PoppyMod · Jan 2, 2012

stangman16 said:
I have a '66 Mustang coupe 302 converted to '91 mustang EFI. What do I need to do in order to start the engine to prevent any damage from not starting it in a long time?

It's been more then several months since i have turned the engine over and started the car, as I've been working on the body and have the gas tank out. Nonetheless I need to start it and get the oil flowing and any rust out of the cylinders. I probably need to change the oil first, should I put a bottle of seafoam in the oil prior to starting and changing the oil?

..I promise I will start it once a month and not neglect it like this again...

Hi,

If it's only been a couple of months, personally, I would simly remove the plugs and cycle the engine to bring the oil pressure up and flowing to the rockers. Replace the plugs and fire it up and let it run to reach it's operating temp.
My car is in storage all winter with a battery tender. After the last outing, I change the oil and filter. Come spring, I cycle it, then fire and go. Unless you are going to get it up to operating temperature, I would not fire it. It does more harm than good.
Good Luck!

Rusty67 · Jan 4, 2012

Agreed on that one. If it has only sat for a little while you can just pull the plugs (don't forget to disable the ignition system) and crank the starter for a bit. If you want to pull the distributor and prime the oil system with a drill/prime tool that is another option too but then you will likely have to retime the motor.

Loup-garou · Jan 5, 2012

You can also prime the oiling system by forcing oil in through the threaded hole where the oil pressure sender taps into the block. I've seen "accusump" type pressurized rigs used for this purpose, but a manual pump with an appropriate length of hose and brass fittings should do just as well.

StreetsideStig · Jan 5, 2012

PoppyMod said:
If it's only been a couple of months, personally, I would simly remove the plugs and cycle the engine to bring the oil pressure up and flowing to the rockers.

That's what I was thinking...

Hack · Jan 6, 2012

A couple months is nothing. Just fire and go. Mine sit for the winter most every year and fire up in the spring no problem. Probably October - April or May (7-8 months) without running is not uncommon for me. I used to mess around with pulling plugs, fogging the cylinders, all that stuff but I quit doing it and the engines still work fine. My classics do all sit indoors out of the weather but not in a heated garage. One thing you should always do is put something in your gas to prevent it from going bad while the car is sitting. Also, Sea Foam is your friend.

stangman16 · Jan 8, 2012

Thanks for the replies! It's been more then a couple of months, maybe 6+. I'd like to not pull the distributor out or re-time the engine. I've been doing body work and the gas tank has been removed, so I will have to rig up a gas can for starting it.

haven't ran engine in a while ..?

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haven't ran engine in a while ..?

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