[general ike]

Hello all I have a 10th anniversary TA that I have owned since 1981. It has a long colorful story that I will post later but my real question is what do I need to do to wake it up. It has been sitting in a unheated garage since 1986. Sadly I did lift it onto some jack stands but I really did nothing to winterize it. My bad!!! Is there a nice link or resource that will help me go through it? Is it something for a mediocre curbside mechanic? Any and all info would be appreciated!! Ike

[goatless]

This topic has been covered before. Use the search feature to pull up previous discussions.

Just a few items that come to mind-
Drain the old gas out of the tank and lines.
Prime the oil pump.
Drain and replace brake fluid.
Etc., etc.

Or you could just do what I'd do... throw in a fresh battery and fire that mother up!

[abefromen]

1986? That's a long time. Hope it was fired up on a regular basis in all that time if not get ready for a lot of oil leaks due to dried out seals/gaskets.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by goatless

Or you could just do what I'd do... throw in a fresh battery and fire that mother up!

Be sure to use a beer bottle filled with gas to prime the carb!

Personally, since it's sat that long, I'd pull the plugs and squirt a little trans fluid into each of the cylinders just in case the rings are stuck, go back a couple of days later and see if you can crank it over by hand. You can probably drain the gas simply by elevating the rear of the car slightly and disconnecting the fuel line from the fuel pump.

BTW, welcome to the board, post a picture of the car when you have a chance.

[2002Z4CSS]

Welcome! Sounds like a nice 2nd Gen.

[HWYSTR455]

Carb is certainly going to need to be rebuilt, the old seals with today's gas won't last long at all.

Engine seals could be ok, or at least for a while, that's a crap-shoot. I've seen umbrella seals on the valves crumble.

I would probably replace the gas tank, cheaper and easier than trying to prepare the original. Have to replace the filter and sock too.

All fluids need to be flushed. General tune up parts too, cap, rotor, wires, you know the drill.

400 or 403 car?

Post pics please!

.

[72projectbird]

I just woke up my 81 Daytona from a 26 year slumber. The previous owner did run it every once in a while but it fits this category.

Drain the tank. I tried to run through the junk gas but could never keep it running. I ended up draining out over 8 gallons of varnish.

Blast the carb out with some cleaner. Chances are it'll need to be rebuilt, but cleaning it out will at least give you a chance of keeping the car running on its own.

Check the plugs, they'll tell you a little about the engine. If they look good put them back in for now. I would still change them down the road, but they're ok for just getting the engine running.

With my 81 I did these things, jumped in and turned the key and it fired right up and held its own idle.

Keep us posted!

[77 TRASHCAN]

Many things need to be done, BUT most important thing is rotten gas in the tank, it will NOT burn!!!
Getting the old gas out is the most important thing!!! Yes other fluids need attention!!!

[general ike]

Hello all thanks for the great responses. I tried doing a search at first but I most not be using the correct terminology and I am not finding much.

Can someone give me some direction on the search terminology?

The main thing I want to do is not do any more damage!!! Don't you risk damaging the engine if you just change out the oil and try to start it up?

When you all describe flushing out the old fluids, what do you use to flush the lines out fresh fluids of the system you are flushing or something else?

Sadly it has never been started once in the 28 years. My BAD!!! I have removed plugs and used fogging oil to restart a boat engine. Sounds the same, Will do.

She has a automatic 403 Oldsmobile in it, the 4 speeds came with a Pontiac 400.

As I have hinted this car has a colorful past that I will post later. It creates an issue about restoring her and what to spend. But I need to get her going first.

She has not been out of the garage since then. I will take some photos when I pull her out!!

Thanks again Ike