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Schoust · 02-09-2009, 08:42 PM

Guys heres a silly question Im getting ready to fire up the engine in my car that has not been started in two years give or take
My question is will it be ok to just throw some fuel in and fire it up or should I be pulling the distributor and priming things up again?
I have a lot invested and want to protect my baby as my wife calls it.Lol!

limejudge69 · 02-09-2009, 08:58 PM

I would recommend pulling the plugs, squirt Marvel Mystery Oil into the cylinders. Let that sit for a day and then turn the engine over with a breaker bar by hand. I would then either undo the coil wire for a point-style ignition, or unhook the battery wire from the distributor on an HEI setup and crank the engine until the gauge registers pressure or the idiot light goes out. No need to pull the dist.

ponchjoe · 02-09-2009, 09:41 PM

I agree with the cylinder lubrication and cranking by hand but would recommend priming the system before attempting anything. Has the engine been in a climate controlled garage? If it has been subjected to hot and cold it most likely has had condensation on the cylinder walls and such. A little more work now will cost you less later.
Just my .02.

Schoust · 02-10-2009, 05:46 AM

That is exactly what I was worried about! Condensation. I also worry about the Flat tappet cam not having any lube on it when I fire it off! I think I will treat it to a new oil change and give it a good prime, I have been periodically turning it over with a large with a big ratchet so that the springs and pistons would be in the same position for a long time....

grandville455 · 02-10-2009, 10:56 AM

I would do what others said.. as far as cam was it already broken in? if so your fine there...

Schoust · 02-10-2009, 01:08 PM

Engine was already broken in I'm just worried because it has not run in a while. So do you think I really have to prime it? I figured I would just pull the fuel pump and crank it over a bit...

grandville455 · 02-10-2009, 01:17 PM

Well It couldn't hurt, but if it starts right away i wouldn't be all that worried really if it were me?

DiamondJim · 02-10-2009, 01:46 PM

My 67 Barracuda sat behind a nearby body shop for 7 years. It was barely visible from the road but I could see enough to know it was a 67-69. One day the guy that owns the shop calls me to see if I can add him some lighting. To make a long story short, after horstarding to include paint/body work, I drained the gas tank, changed the oil, and battery, found the fuel pump was bad, replaced it and fired it up! That was about 5 years and several thousand miles ago. Of course it is a 340 mopar and not a Pontiac but I would think a Pontiac would be the same. -Jim

DiamondJim · 02-10-2009, 01:51 PM

Horstarding??? Sorry. Make that horse-trading! The best way to do businees! -Jim

PLAY400 · 02-10-2009, 04:05 PM

I would assume all the lifters have bled down by now. If it were mine I would prime it while rotating by hand. Then I would re install the dizzy but not wire it and crank the engine via the starter watching the oil pressure. Once it is normal or close I would then finish installing the dizzy and start it. Wouldn't consider cranking it over via the starter without doing it by hand first. Had a cylinder seize up from condensation or.., couldn't turn it by hand but the starter could.

Schoust · 02-10-2009, 05:26 PM

Forgot to add that i have been turning it over here and there to make sure that it would not seize up or cause the valve springs any issues. I would be priming it if I had the piece to put in the drill.

geforc · 02-10-2009, 09:01 PM

I have a priming shaft and your welcome to use it. I'm in Oxford evenings and all around during the day, let me know if i can help.

Gene

Schoust · 02-11-2009, 05:44 PM

Hey Gene I sent you a P.M. As a matter of fact I think I sent to one a while back for somthing else?? Let me know when and where and I will stop by....

Ralph

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