Long storage restart help
 

Stop me if you have heard this one......body guy took 10 years and a repo guy to get the shell back. Any suggestions on how to properly bring the engine back to running condition. Recently rebuilt '73 2.4T MFI w/ cast iron jugs was running fine when we sent the tub to the body shop for total resto. Engine has not been turned, as after 9 months went by it became obvious that we were in for a longer term of storage than anticipated it; by then it would not turn by hand. So I spritzed it w/ oil in the intake and spark holes, stuffed oily paper towels in, and it has sat that way in the garage for 10 years. A local guy has said put it back in the car and roll it down a big hill....see what problems you have. His main reason to advise this is that a total rebuild is very expensive. But I sure am very reluctant to do that, and a lot of the ancillaries are already off.

Any recommended course of action.

10 years is a long time and I would attempt to get it running witht he starter, knowing probably have to drop it due to the rings and cylinders. Either way you will get a lot of headway now that you have the car out.

Yes, I have seen a guy in the paddock pulled behind his truck to clear up, eg, a bad case of hickups. It didnt really seem to work.

It will be worth the wait/expense, but maybe a different bodyman for next project.

Good luck.

Regards,

Thanks

No question on the body guy--he could make eggs w/ a hammer, but work habits were intolerable.

The old redneck way (espically when dealing with cast iron) technique is to use Marvel mystery oil. Unfortunately, to get it to where it would completely free the rings, you would have to pull the engine and put it on it's side. an engine stand would be the preferred method. I have never seen this done with a P car, but have had very good luck with many diff types, to the point that if I am starting a car that has been sitting a while, I automatically pull spark plugs and fill cly. Let it set a month or so, try moving it gently back and forth by hand. Then after complete revolution, start using starter w/o spark plugs in.

Good luck
Charlie

Was thinking of using some ATF or WD 40 or some other high detergent

Engine is out and can get it on a stand

Thanks