Engine What to do to car after sitting for 20 years

Bjr1992

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Mar 16, 2021
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What's up fellas. I'm having an issue and need help pls!
I bought a 90 mustang gt that was sitting for over 20 years. Sent the block and heads to get rebuilt. I set the timing replaced gas but won't start. Could the injectors be stuck? I do hear the fuel pump and did take out fuel from the line. I took out a plug and there is spark. Any advice would be appreciated thanks!
 
This should get you started, unless there is something you're not telling us.
 
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This should get you started, unless there is something you're not telling us.
Thank you I'll get to that when I'm off work!
 
Rally need to start from the basics.

Fuel, air, spark and compression. I believe most of this in the checklist.

Fuel - Do you have pressure? 39psi vac off? If you build pressure in the rail and activate the injector with a 9V battery, does the pressure drop?

Spark - Firing order correct? Dist orientated correctly? Can you physically check for spark?

Air - no blockages? Shop towel left in intake from the engine build stage? (I've seen it before)

Compression - new rebuild. Are the valves hanging open from improperly tightening the rockers?
 
And of course, the ECU. If it's been fiddled with, you could look for corrosion and try reseating the connector.

If it's [not] been messed with, I'd probably leave it alone until I was running out of other options.
 
Rally need to start from the basics.

Fuel, air, spark and compression. I believe most of this in the checklist.

Fuel - Do you have pressure? 39psi vac off? If you build pressure in the rail and activate the injector with a 9V battery, does the pressure drop?

Spark - Firing order correct? Dist orientated correctly? Can you physically check for spark?

Air - no blockages? Shop towel left in intake from the engine build stage? (I've seen it before)

Compression - new rebuild. Are the valves hanging open from improperly tightening the rockers?
Triple checked everything. Removed fuel injectors no sign of fuel coming out. (Not wet)
 
Yeah that may be normal.

you really need to test injector functionality by the method I described above. Check resistance values (14.4 ohms) and check for function using a 9v battery. (Or a true injector tester machine)

however after 20 years of sitting with bad fuel, it’s possible the injectors are junk so you can’t rule it out. My car sat for 8 years and that killed 1 injector
 
Last edited:
Yeah that may be normal.

you really need to test injector functionality by the method I described above. Check resistance values (14.4 ohms) and check for function using a 9v battery. (Or a true injector tester machine)

however after 20 years of sitting with bad fuel, it’s possible the injectors are junk so you can’t rule it out. My car sat for 8 years and that killed 1 injector
I just took the injectors to get flow tested and get new seals and filters put in. I put them back on the car and nothing. I switched my bros ecu and still nothing. It has an old viper alarm I have remotes it disables the alarm. Could the alarm be the issues? Seams to be wired up professionally
 
Aftermarket alarms have caused issues for many a Mustang. Many are not installed using "best practices". It is likely a factor but may not be the problem. You may be able to disable it to rule it out.