• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Engine Starting After Sitting?

dodge68charger

dodge68charger

Well-Known Member
Local time
11:54 AM
Joined
Feb 6, 2012
Messages
1,230
Reaction score
81
Location
Washington
Been About 8 Months Since I Last Fire My 440 Engine..

How Should I Go About Starting If After Sitting So Long?

Thanks
 
I'm assuming you mean cranking time? I check to see if any fuel shoots out of the discharge nozzles. If not, I'll manually pour a small amount of gas down the carb while holding the throttle partially open, then try starting. It keeps cranking time to a minimum.
 
If you have a oil priming tool i would pull the distributor and give the oil pump a good swing before cranking.
Maybe open and clean out the carb as well if the fuel bowls have gone dry?
 
I would pull all plugs,clean them up, next pull the dizzy cap clean it ,fresh gas,crank her over a little,than give her 3 pumps of gas and fire wake her up.good luck.and dont forget to give her a tap on the dash,and say your a bad good girl.1 last thing change the oil.
 
Fully charged battery, make sure the choke sets closed. Crank for about 4 second intervals.
Proper fuel mixture is the key, don't go crazy with accelerator pump shots.

The oil should really be changed before storage. It doesn't go bad just sitting in the car.
I don't think you need to pull the distributor and prime the oil pump after 8 months.
The choke and carb condition are the big ones.
Rarely would you have any ignition issues after sitting in a garage for 8 months. I never have.
 
Mine sits for 6 months during hibernation. I use a plastic bottle like you'd use for olive oil filled with gas and give each carb vent a good healthy squirt. Pump the gas once and she fires right up with no excessive cranking and I have immediate oil pressure.
 
14 years in a Sea Can for my Bee when I pulled it out to restore... pulled the coil wire, cranked until oil pressure showed, put wire back on and it runs as smooth as the day it was rebuilt... back in 1979 ! I also put the car away after getting married in '82 and didn't start it again until 1986 after my Dad died and Mom sold the house so I had to move it. Same deal after sitting again for 2 years. The beast still lives today with nothing changed by valve seals and a new timing chain assembly during my restoration.
 
Post #6 I fully agree with

Fill the float bowls to avoid excess cranking. Pump gas pedal 2-3 times to put some in the intake. Charge battery or fresh battery. Prime the oil pump if you are concerned about lubrication. Start it up!

I dislike the idea of cranking until you get oil pressure. More wear occurs during cranking than running. the engine will rotate more turns without oil than it does starting it. The oil pressure will come up very fast when starting the engine.
Same with cranking after an oil change, it is truly counter productive. There is plenty of oil in the bearings.

Want more explanation?
* Oil pump runs off the camshaft
*Cam turns 1/2 speed of crank
*What is cranking rpm? 500? 600?
*half of that is 250 or 300 for cam and oil pump
*start it up and you have at least 800 RPM up to 1500 depending on choke setting or your foot position.

my brief background.
2 year auto college program
20 years of dealership and repair shop flat rate work
Employment in municipal maintenance garage.
Many certifications and training classes to stay current.
(Yes they absolutely pay you more per hour to have these)

I’m an auto repair professional first and a hobbyist second.
I didn’t learn this **** from a you tube video.
 
Last edited:
I didn’t learn this **** from a you tube video.
Click to expand...
Either did I, I'm 58 years old, my engine has survived numerous LONG storage periods since it was rebuilt some 41 years ago! In days of old I use to store it old school by pouring trans fluid into the carb to smoke it out and smoother it. Didn't even do that in 2000 when I parked it in the marine can. Runs like a top...

That said I guess my SBird has been dealt with your way. Get in and turn the key, even after 10 years sitting in one place. Appears both work just fine..
 
Mine was 3 -1/2 years sitting uncranked. Checked the oil, charged the battery, had fresh gas, wound over a few times without the coil attached.....and it started up fine.
Eight months is like a long weekend by comparison.
 
In Minnesota mine always sit for our 11 month winter. hehe

First I make sure I have all the Bounce outta the engine compartment and I see no signs of mice or their nests.
I check the oil and coolant. I give them a freshly charged battery and a shot of ether until the fuel make its to the bowl.
 
I like to crank mine a little then set the choke. It get's a little oil circulating before the engine fires and goes to fast idle.
 
I'm in agreement with R413 above. NO cranking to build oil pressure for me.
 
My carb bowls were empty after sitting for 6 months. As I learned, when using engine starting spray give it a healthy 4 second squirt in each front primary side of the carb. A short squirt won’t provide enough.
 
mine sits for long periods. the last thing I want is for it to fire right off without oil pressure. I hook up the battery , pull the coil wire, crank it for about 10 seconds, put coil wire back on and run it.
 
WP29440SE said:
mine sits for long periods. the last thing I want is for it to fire right off without oil pressure. I hook up the battery , pull the coil wire, crank it for about 10 seconds, put coil wire back on and run it.
Click to expand...
Funny thing is you want to do what is best and you are cranking it, which is the worst.
If you are worried about lack of oil then prime it with a drill. End of story.

Every time you start the engine it has zero oil pressure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Runner 68
Pre-Oil or Not to Pre-Oil
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
thehemikid
thehemikid
RXTREME
Will 426 hemi mounts/K frame fit a 572 Hemi?
Replies
3
Views
639
6PKRTSE
6PKRTSE
Scott Kiger
Rebuilt engine that has been stored for years
Replies
7
Views
775
Don selleck
Don selleck
Hubert
Cold starting Issues
Replies
4
Views
464
Hubert
Hubert
R
Need help 440 dodge moterhome
Replies
4
Views
749
zyzzyx
zyzzyx
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top