[Chevelle-list] [Chevelle List] Starting up an old motor...

[Brad Olson]

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: bad66chevelle454 at aol.com
>
> Hey List,
> 
> I just bought this old car. The thing hasnt run in about 5 years. What all 
> should I do to get it running??? I was planning on changing the oil, filter, 
> flushing the radiator, new fuel and fuel filter, but what else? I've heard 
> something about squirting oil into the cylinders? Do I just squirt normal oil in 
> there, then try to start it up? Or do I leave the spark plugs out and turn it 
> over by hand or with the starter? Anything else I should do before trying to 
> start up this car?

What make, model, and engine?

Some oil in the cylinders isn't a bad idea but if the oil pump is driven
by the distributor it's possible to prime the whole oiling system.
Replace the distributor with a drill-driven primer (either bought or
made) and spin the pump for awhile (it helps if the drill can be locked
on).  Every minute or so manually rotate the crank 90 degrees until you
go through 2 or a multiple of 2 full revolutions.

It's important to either note the orientation of the oil pump driveshaft
before starting this, or know how to time an engine from scratch...

Brad