Expert: Brad Sears - 9/13/2008

Question
the engine has not been started since 1993. Stored inside garage. What are the first things I need to do to eventually see if engine will run. This is a unmolested survivor off the road since 1983

Answer
Ok, I have a procedure for starting an old car:
1. Remove the spark plugs and ad a couple of table spoons of oil into each cylinder. Then turn the engine over a few times to lubricate the cylinder walls.
2. Drain and refill the crankcase with fresh oil.
3. Check and replace ignition parts as needed.
4. Install a fully charged battery and check all the cables.
5. Remove the top of the carburetor and check to see if the carburetor needs to come off and be cleaned of old gas. Before replacing the top of the carburetor fill the float bowl 3/4 full with fresh fuel. This will eliminate priming.
6. Rig an external fuel supply. Fabricate a fuel line from the inlet side of the fuel  pump into a 5 gallon fuel can. Once the engine starts then you can worry about the fuel lines and the fuel tank.
7. Make sure that the air filter is installed. This acts as a flame suppressor incase of a back fire.
Now crank it up.
Brad