1968 Pontiac Firebird My car has been sitting for years

Tiny
SHAWN.HAARSTICK
  • MEMBER
  • 1968 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
1968 Pontiac Firebird V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Got a 1968 pontiac FirebirdWhat should be my first steps in trying to get my car started again. She ran fine before I let her sit.

I Have not started her in 7 yrs or so.
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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 1:02 PM

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Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

& years is a long time for an engine to sit unused, be aware that you may well be plagued with ongoing oil leaks and other issue, with brakes & transmission, the problem is that all seals will dry out and shrink when not used, when the engine starts these seals often fail causing leaks and other problems, trouble is that you won't know what until something acts up, you can only hope that your problems are minimal, with that said, drain the oil and change the filter, (do not attempt top start the engine before doing any work) add oil to the filter and re fit top up engine oil, remove spark plugs and squirt oil into each cylinder, enough to coat around the top of the piston and cylinder wall, let it sit for a n hr or so, then turn the engine by hand a few revolutions, add a little more oil then crank over with the key for a few seconds, say 5-10, let it sit for a while, this will allow oil to get in behind the rings and start laureation happening, if you try and crank first up the chock could snap a ring, crank till you get up oil pressure use a mechanical gauge and only crank in short bursts so not to over heat the starter motor. Fit new plugs, fuel filter, drain old fuel as best as you can add fuel system cleaner, check all other fluid levels and try a start, see how you get on.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 6:35 PM

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