start up after 15 years of sitting questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 03-27-2007, 10:30 AM

i might be purchasing a 1974 chevy van that the owner says hasnt been run in 15 years. other than changing all fluids, new cap, plugs, rotor, wires, carb rebuild, what else should i do. i realize i will have to break the rings loose. if this motor fails, its no big deal. i would like to know if i could do this. does anyone have any tips or experience?

Spray-Bomb · 03-27-2007, 10:56 AM

Well I'm sure you know this, but you should drain the gas & make sure the fuel system is clean

I also like to pull the plugs & squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders

Hope this helps, good luck

jimmydean · 03-27-2007, 11:03 AM

Let the oil sit in the cylinders for at least a few hours so it has a chance to work. Then crank it over by hand slowly until you know everything is moving.

GREASEMONKEY72 · 03-27-2007, 11:04 AM

move it by hand to get everything moving again and maybe even prime the oil pump also

RACINJASON22 · 03-27-2007, 11:06 AM

If it were mine I would pull the dizzy and prime the engine after you do as the others have said. then drop the dizzy back in in the same spot. my .02 RJ22

GREASEMONKEY72 beat me to it.

stllookn · 03-27-2007, 11:07 AM

What spray bomb said...then...Let it sit with the oil in the cylinders for a few days and then try to turn it over by hand. If you can turn it over then pull the dizzy and get an oil pump drive or make one out of a junk dizzy. Pressurize the engine with the drive and a drill motor. Turn it over by hand several times during the process to make sure you lube the entire engine. I spend about 15-30 minutes doing this. Now you are ready to start the motor without damaging it.

crm318 · 03-27-2007, 05:33 PM

thanks for the info. i just talked to the owner today and he said that the motor ran great when ever he parked it. im pretty sure that the tranny was in good shape back then as well. do yall think that i could do a full fluid flush with new filter and run it. i wont have much money after the purchase and want to make do with what i have if i can.

cdowns · 03-27-2007, 05:49 PM

i like to take off the valve covers and check when rotating the engine by hand that the valves are closing all the way and not sticking open from rust on the valve stem// i also like to mix marvel mystery oil and wd40 to soak and spray things with

when you get to the point of trying to start it make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy and a turned on and handy garden hose isn't a bad idea either

03-27-2007, 10:30 AM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	start up after 15 years of sitting questions i might be purchasing a 1974 chevy van that the owner says hasnt been run in 15 years. other than changing all fluids, new cap, plugs, rotor, wires, carb rebuild, what else should i do. i realize i will have to break the rings loose. if this motor fails, its no big deal. i would like to know if i could do this. does anyone have any tips or experience? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

03-27-2007, 10:56 AM	#2
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions Well I'm sure you know this, but you should drain the gas & make sure the fuel system is clean I also like to pull the plugs & squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders Hope this helps, good luck __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

03-27-2007, 11:03 AM	#3
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions Let the oil sit in the cylinders for at least a few hours so it has a chance to work. Then crank it over by hand slowly until you know everything is moving. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-27-2007, 11:04 AM	#4
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions move it by hand to get everything moving again and maybe even prime the oil pump also __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

03-27-2007, 11:06 AM	#5
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions If it were mine I would pull the dizzy and prime the engine after you do as the others have said. then drop the dizzy back in in the same spot. my .02 RJ22 GREASEMONKEY72 beat me to it. __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR! Last edited by RACINJASON22; 03-27-2007 at 11:07 AM.

03-27-2007, 11:07 AM	#6
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions What spray bomb said...then...Let it sit with the oil in the cylinders for a few days and then try to turn it over by hand. If you can turn it over then pull the dizzy and get an oil pump drive or make one out of a junk dizzy. Pressurize the engine with the drive and a drill motor. Turn it over by hand several times during the process to make sure you lube the entire engine. I spend about 15-30 minutes doing this. Now you are ready to start the motor without damaging it. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

03-27-2007, 05:33 PM	#7
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions thanks for the info. i just talked to the owner today and he said that the motor ran great when ever he parked it. im pretty sure that the tranny was in good shape back then as well. do yall think that i could do a full fluid flush with new filter and run it. i wont have much money after the purchase and want to make do with what i have if i can. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

03-27-2007, 05:49 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: start up after 15 years of sitting questions i like to take off the valve covers and check when rotating the engine by hand that the valves are closing all the way and not sticking open from rust on the valve stem// i also like to mix marvel mystery oil and wd40 to soak and spray things with when you get to the point of trying to start it make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy and a turned on and handy garden hose isn't a bad idea either __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY



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