#1  
Old 08-24-2020, 07:44 PM
rememberfireball#22's Avatar
rememberfireball#22 rememberfireball#22 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 561
Default Starting after 6 months

Back in April I had accident in my pick-up and broke my leg and some other things. My 68 GTO has been sitting in garage since day of accident. I hope to be able to get to garage in a couple of weeks and start car. It still has quardjet that Cliff Ruggles rebuilt several years ago and ign has been switched to electronic. What precautions do I need to take in process of starting and driving again? Thanks, Mike

__________________
1968 GTO Numbers matching 400 H.O. 4-speed 3:55
1964 T-Bird 46,000 Actual Mile
1928 Model A
2009 Lexus
1981 Dodge D-100
1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
19631/2 Ford Galaxie Fastback
  #2  
Old 08-24-2020, 09:42 PM
Greg Reid's Avatar
Greg Reid Greg Reid is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Palmetto, GA. USA
Posts: 16,163
Default

6 months?....if it were mine, I'd turn the starter long enough to get oil pressure and just start it. I do the same thing after an oil change.

__________________
Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia

  #3  
Old 08-24-2020, 09:49 PM
68pongto's Avatar
68pongto 68pongto is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 651
Default

Exactly what Greg said. Check the battery, maybe a shot of starting fluid, hit the key. I have cars I have forgot I even had and started them a year or two later after sitting.

  #4  
Old 08-24-2020, 09:52 PM
Chief of the 60's Chief of the 60's is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: On the Rez
Posts: 3,233
Default

6 months equates to about a week for me. Put a new battery in it, stick the key in the ignition and turn it. That is what I did a month ago with one of my Pontiacs that I haven't started since the 1999 POCI Convention.

  #5  
Old 08-25-2020, 03:18 PM
68gtoMN's Avatar
68gtoMN 68gtoMN is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Minneapolis Area
Posts: 2,261
Default

I had a 68 GTO stored under a building in a heated/controlled space for 9+ years. I needed to move it.
  • One tire was low, so we fixed that.
  • The rear drums were stuck, so I had to pound them off with a maul.
  • Replaced battery, added 1 gallon of gas to the gas that remained in the tank, drizzled some gas in the carb (had electric fuel pump)
  • Replaced the battery.
  • checked oil
Turned key, fuel pump hummed to life. No leaks. Then I pumped pedal twice and turned key to start. I believe the engine spun over twice before firing. I feathered the gas for 15 seconds and it then idled.

If my car could do that, your car should pop off right away without trouble!

__________________
'68 GTO 4-spd Hardtop (11)
'68 GTO Convertible AT (1)
'70 LeMans Sport

Land of Lakes Muscle Car Classic
Facebook Event
Facebook Wall (Kurt Smith,Minneapolis)
  #6  
Old 08-25-2020, 03:27 PM
Stuart's Avatar
Stuart Stuart is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,938
Default

I store my summer cars every winter, and sometimes it's six months before they're driven again. I just start them up and they're okay. Unless your car has a running clock or some other constant current drain, chances are the battery will be fine - if it was in good shape before and was fully charged the last time the car was driven it probably still has plenty of juice left.

  #7  
Old 08-29-2020, 08:59 AM
300deluxe's Avatar
300deluxe 300deluxe is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 510
Default

I store my Lemans every year for 6 months....in spring I put battery in it, and crank it over till it starts. I always run 95 octane non ox gas in it.

__________________
1968 Lemans 350 HO
55 Chevy 210 2 door post, future Two Lane Blacktop car
  #8  
Old 08-31-2020, 06:01 AM
68ragtop's Avatar
68ragtop 68ragtop is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Posts: 4,323
Default

Not that its recommended, but some of my cars will sit for years between runs. Good, Non-ethonal fuel is a must. Have always been surprised how well they will run. Been doing that for about 14 years now. First time I left a car sit for more than a year, I thought I was going to be rebuilding something, but was pleasantly surprised. I think the key is the fuel not going bad & then the storage location being climate controlled helps possibly more than the above. not so much heat, but keeping the humidity away. Bad things happen over time, but I would not think in 6 months. My 79 T/A has not been started in 5-ish years. Was lightly fogged beforehand. That car Still has orignal exhaust on it & I would rather risk a fuel problem than putting condensation through the pipes too often.

about 12 years ago, a friend & I pulled a parts car out of storage that was in a semi-open shed for about 10-12 years. fuel smelled like turpentine, but just for grins we threw a battery in it & dumped some fuel down the carb. not only did it start but we drove it on to the trailer. But, the brakes had failed, so that part was a little sketchy. It was stripped for parts, so I would not have tried that on any other car that had a future.

__________________

68 GTO 4-spd Convertible
78 S/E Trans am L78, WS6 Auto
78 S/E Trans am W72, WS6 Auto
79 10th aniv W72 Trans am
80 Indy pace car Trans am
89 Trans am GTA
  #9  
Old 08-31-2020, 12:03 PM
Baron Von Zeppelin Baron Von Zeppelin is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,419
Default

Wouldn't hurt to un-plug the power from dist cap (HEI) and crank it over some (without starting) to get some oil working towards the top.

Many ways of prepping - and not prepping - for restarts.
It's all up to you and how much time you want to invest.

6 months inside a garage - would probably just spin it some with starter (without starting) - and then hit it.

If it was much over 6 months
I pull the distributor and run a drill tool on the oil pump.
Re-Install
Pull the spark plugs and give a small squirt in each hole.
Crank it over with coil wire unplugged.
Replace spark plugs.
Then hit it
Its old fashioned now - but its not in vain.

  #10  
Old 09-03-2020, 07:04 PM
rememberfireball#22's Avatar
rememberfireball#22 rememberfireball#22 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 561
Default

Thanks for all the advise. I removed hot wire from coil and just cranked it over for about 25/30 seconds. It quickly built up between 40/45 lbs oil pressure on under dash Stewart/Warner gauge. I then reconnected wire to coil and she fired up. After 6 months in bed/recliner , I forgot how much fun it is to do a burnout.

__________________
1968 GTO Numbers matching 400 H.O. 4-speed 3:55
1964 T-Bird 46,000 Actual Mile
1928 Model A
2009 Lexus
1981 Dodge D-100
1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
19631/2 Ford Galaxie Fastback
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:08 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017