Restart after storage.
In May of 2006 I removed the intake from my 1969 L68 coupe to have it restored. I also sent out the carbs to have them rebuilt and restored. The work took longer than expected and by the time I got them back, I put off reassembly until the fall. One thing lead to another and the car has been sitting ever since. It was not prepared for long term storage. I drained the coolant before removing the intake, but not the motor oil. I covered the open valley with some old towels, and that's it. I'd like to get the car back together and running, but I'd like to know what I should do to prepare the engine for a restart. There is gas in the tank that needs to be drained along with the old motor oil. Is there anything I should do before I reinstall the intake? Also, the carbs, intake, distributor, etc. have been sitting in boxes. Do these any any prep before reassembly?
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Re: Restart after storage.
Assuming the car has been inside and not exposed to condensting humidity, just put it together, fill it with coolant, and with a freshly charged battery crank it over until it starts. Using a syringe to fill the fuel bowls through the vents until fuel begins to drip out of the booster venturis is an option. It will start much faster.
You'll have to watch the coolant level and add once the thermostat opens as with any normal coolant change. Use Zerex G-05 50/50 with distilled water.
After the coolant is full and the engine is fully warmed up, change the oil/filter.
Duke -
Re: Restart after storage.
Thanks Duke. Would it help to pour some fresh oil over the exposed parts of the cam shaft before puttin the intake back on?Comment
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Re: Restart after storage.
Agree. Use a pump oiler with CJ-4 and oil as best you can the lobes you can get to. With a run-in OE cam and lifters I don't think there is much chance of a problem even if you don't attempt to oil.
DukeComment
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Re: Restart after storage.
Thanks again. I'll do that before I put the intake back on.Comment
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Re: Restart after storage.
I just restarted my 63 300hp car after 15 years. Here is what I did:
1) drained all the fluids from the car then replaced with fresh.
2) Pulled the gas tank and drained all the gas
3) blew out the gas lines
4) blew out the brake lines
5) replaced the rubber brake lines
6) pulled the spark plugs
7) pulled the tachometer
8) sprayed oil into the cylinders
9) hand turned the oil pump
10) hand turned the engine
11) replaced the battery and cranked the engine
12) new spark plugs
13) new points, etc
14) cleaned gas filter
15) poured gas into carb
16) Start engine -----> No problems
Next I replaced all the leaking water hoses and she is fine today.
I will need to rebuild the carb as everything sticks.
Good Luck.
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Re: Restart after storage.
Duke,
What are the properties of a CJ-4 oil that make it desirable in this situation?
GaryComment
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Re: Restart after storage.
Dig out your Fall 2008 Corvette Restorer or read the article beginning on page three in the following pdf.
DukeComment
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Re: Restart after storage.
Harry,
Why pull the tach?
LarryComment
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Re: Restart after storage.
Duke,
Thank you for pointing out the article, very informative. I'll put my name in the 90% category for knowing little about oil ratings. I use the CJ-4 oils in my Duramax, I thought the main difference was soot control. Before I finished your article I was wondering whether I could use the 15-40 viscosity but now I think I have little to fear, by the time we hit 10-15 degrees in Virginia the vette has been put away for the winter.
Great article and thanks again.
GaryComment
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Re: Restart after storage.
There is a lot of info on the web if you search oil, zinc and ZDDP...to much to capture within the tech discussion boards....Comment
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