Initial Start-Up after two years...

[Scott S]

Hi All –
I am getting ready to start a motor that has been on a stand for not quite two years. It is a 2.7 that has 60k miles on it since it was rebuilt a few years back. I am getting ready to now put it back into the car. Is there anything special I need to do before firing it up? The motor is now carbed. As well, I installed Pertronix. Should I at least unplug the fuel pump and the pertronix and turn the motor over a few times with the starter prior to actually trying to start it? I have been extremely diligent on turning the motor over by hand at least once a month while it was out of the car.

Thanks for any advice –
Scott S

[maresdesign]

Mine sat for almost 8 years, carbs, headers, etc. When changing the plugs I put a "squirt" of Marvel Mystery Oil in the combustion chamber. I disabled the fuel pump and the ignition system several weeks before putting fuel in the tank (whole fuel system was dry after complete refresh) so I could crank it over. I did this several times to build up pressure. Then I ran the fuel pump to build up pressure and checked for leaks. Started right up. It did smoke for a few minutes but was expected.

[brittbolen]

I just started my motor for the first time in 2 years on Tuesday.

First I disconnected the points on my distributor, and run the fuel pump to look for any leaks.

Then I connected the points and started it, making sure I had oil pressure immediately.

It fired up.

I didn't prep the motor when i parked it 2 years back, and the only time i turned it over was last month when I was putting the transmission back on and I needed to move the flywheel etc... so i turned the motor over.

[Scott S]

Thanks very much. I expected to be done with this project in about 3-6 months - not 2 years. I have been becoming increasingly nervous as time has slipped by. Your examples make me feel much better!