Starting car after 14 years.

levicah · Mar 27, 2018

STATUS : 74' satellite, 1k miles on a rebuilt 318 w/ 727. 5 gal's of gas in the tank with whole bottle of fuel stabilizer. with car running, fuel stabilizer was sprayed into the carb until the engine stalled. It has been dry and on blocks for 14 years. It ran great but trans dumped fluid. I'm rebuilding the trans now.

I'm about to fire it up: Aside from basic contact cleaning, plugs,dist., etc.

Should I pull the gas tank, or just syphon out old fuel? Just fill it up? Is the carb guaranteed to be gummed up by now?

Is there any "must do" things to insure a successful start up? Any tips would be appreciated!

Also, any tips on removing and installing the front seal on the 727 trans? I dont have a seal tool. Do I just dig the old one out? Is it like a bushing? Thanks guys!

WileERobby · Mar 27, 2018

Squirt marvel mystery oil in all cylinders. Next day, squirt again and use a breaker bar to rotate the crank. Next day, squirt again then install new plugs. Fresh oil and filter, pull the dizzy & prime. Bad idea with the tank, you may have water from condensation, it needs to be completely drained.

Dennis H · Mar 27, 2018

Gas smell ok?

idrivemopar · Mar 27, 2018

In addition to above suggestions, and I would not trust 14 year old fuel, I would also check the fuel lines/fuel pump, its possible they are gummed up or rusted internally, so I would run something through them as well before attempting to start, also add a new fuel filter and have a spare in case you don't get all the gunk flushed out of the lines and it gets clogged. I would also prime the carb, its possible the gaskets have dried out, and they may leak until they swell from fresh fuel, that is unless you are going to rebuild before attempting to start.

Bill Monk · Mar 28, 2018

I agree with the other comments. I would definitely drop the tank to at least check it out and get rid of the 14 year old fuel, pump some clean fuel through the line before deciding if you can use it and I think I would go ahead and rebuild the carb. My experience is that even if it will run when you fire it up, problems will show up down the line

Lets Roll · Mar 28, 2018

I used the original gas tank on a truck That sat for about 14 yrs once. I took the tank out and replaced the sock on the sender and scraped about a pound of black sludge off the bottom of tank. Then I used three fuel filters taking first one out when it clogged.It cleared up pretty fast .

BeeKool · Mar 28, 2018

As the tranny is concerned. Seal tools are inexpensive.
Be sure you replace the fluid, and filter.
Maybe the rear seal too.

burntorng70 · Mar 28, 2018

I always used a screwdriver and a hammer to remove the front seal, and a socket that is the size of the outermost part of seal to drive back in. But i suppose actual tools that are made for the job cost very little at harbor freight.

Ranger16 · Mar 28, 2018

levicah said:
Should I pull the gas tank, or just syphon out old fuel? Just fill it up? Is the carb guaranteed to be gummed up by now?

I's say siphon it would be just fine. What little old gas is left will dilute.

As for the carb, I'd bet the old fuel evaporated after the first 6 months or so. Nothing left to gum up.

dadsbee · Mar 28, 2018

Pull the fuel hose off the pump and replace it with a kicker can if you're in a hurry. Other than that, no point in playing with anything if it ran before storage. Pull the coil wire, crank 'till you have oil pressure, replace the wire, crank and listen to the old music you enjoyed in the past! (and looking at that picture I can't believe I use to think my engine compartment looked good 2 years ago!) My car was stored, this round, for about 14 years. I didn't even do my usual of smothering it out by pouring tranny fluid down the carb when I put it away as I expected it was short term. It's been stored numerous times, for many years, since 1969 and always just had a battery thrown in and started. On old fuel back when.. something you can't do with todays crap.

levicah · Mar 28, 2018

Thanks everybody! This forum rocks. I bought this car for my son 14 years ago...when he was 3! Now he wants it running yesterday!

Starting car after 14 years.

levicah

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WileERobby

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Dennis H

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idrivemopar

Well-Known Member

Bill Monk

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Lets Roll

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BeeKool

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burntorng70

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Ranger16

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dadsbee

FBBO Gold Member

levicah

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