C3 starting after 5 years

[Dale P.]

Simple question (I hope). My 68 427 has been sitting for 5 years. No storage prep was done before being parked. I have rolled the motor over by hand and have done the basics for the engine start, topped fluids, installed rebuilt carb primed the motor with oil pump primer tool. I am to the point of rolling it over using the battery (coil disconnected). So now what to do with the half tank of old fuel. I know I should drain it and start with fresh, but I have no way to get rid of the old fuel. So the question is. How dangerous would it be just to try to start with the old fuel?

[Michael W.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

Zero danger. Hook up the coil and go.

[Steve W.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

can you siphon it out and add fresh fuel to start it? If the fuel you pull out looks ok (no water) mix it back in with the fresh fuel. I'd add some Zinc oil additive if you haven't already?

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

What type of oil are you going to use in your on the road again 427?

[Paul J.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

can you siphon it out and add fresh fuel to start it? If the fuel you pull out looks ok (no water) mix it back in with the fresh fuel. I'd add some Zinc oil additive if you haven't already?

There you go. Dale, the fresh gasoline will act as a solvent and dissolve any gummed up or thicker material, and will help disperse any moisture that is in the old gas. It should burn fine.

Paul

[Jim L.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

How dangerous would it be just to try to start with the old fuel?

Not at all. Fill the carburetor with fresh fuel and turn the key.

Two weeks ago I woke up my '57 fuelie which, like your car, had been sitting for 5+ years with no special prep. I put gas in the bowl, verified the special FI gear pump wasn't locked up, and turned the key. That's ALL I did. Engine fired right up and ran well on the old fuel.

Don't over think this.

Jim

[Paul J.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

...Don't over think this....

Sound advice.

[William P.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

You should be able to tell if the fuel is bad by the smell of it . Take offthe cap and take a wiff , stale gas has a smell you will never forget .
If it is stale smelling I would get rid of it before I cranked that stuff into the carb . Start with a new filter or better yet plumb an inline filter in that is easy to change and change it often for a while .
5 yr old gas is way too old ,

Bill

[Jim L.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

A followup to my earlier post (#6) in this thread:

Today, I started our '59 283/230 which had been sitting for a year and a half. The fuel in the tank, according to the log, is three year old summer blend.

My procedure was this:

1. Get in
2. Turn key to START

The starter spun for between 10 - 15 seconds. Just as oil pressure began to show on the gauge, the engine started and remained running. I didn't prime the carburetor. I didn't even pump the accelerator.

FYI.....

Jim

[Philip C.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

Simple question (I hope). My 68 427 has been sitting for 5 years. No storage prep was done before being parked. I have rolled the motor over by hand and have done the basics for the engine start, topped fluids, installed rebuilt carb primed the motor with oil pump primer tool. I am to the point of rolling it over using the battery (coil disconnected). So now what to do with the half tank of old fuel. I know I should drain it and start with fresh, but I have no way to get rid of the old fuel. So the question is. How dangerous would it be just to try to start with the old fuel?

Dale half a tank of gas=$40.00 give it to your neighbor for his lawn mower, put fresh gas in it. Phil 8063

[Michael W.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

Why do people hate their lawn mowers?

[Steven B.]

Re: C3 starting after 5 years

Why do people hate their lawn mowers?

'Cause if you put old fuel in them and they don't start you don't have to mow. I am on my way to drain some 1998 fuel and put it in my mower.