3.0 not run in many years...best plan to get it started?
 

My recently acquired 79SC has not run in many years.

The front tank was removed (and, I think, cleaned) before I bought the car. However, none of the other fuel lines appear to be touched.

Also, the engine was supposedly rebuilt just before the car was parked.

I plan to pull the engine and reseal it as part of getting the car back on the road. I'm also leaning heavily towards building the engine a little bigger and going with PMO carbs for the throttle response, intake sound and simplicity.

I would really like to start the engine before pulling it to check oil pressure, listen for ugly sounds, etc. But, part of me thinks that may be more risky than it's worth. If I bump up the displacement, change cams, etc. I have to go in there anyway.

Opinions on best course of action? Try to get the car running or just bypass that step and get on with the engine build?

If the consensus is to get it running should I just forget the fuel tank for now and use a gas can for the fuel pump (assuming that even works) to pull from?

that would be imho the only reason to pull it.
unless you absolutely mistrust the mentioned PO-rebuild.

a) find out if its turning:
screw out sparkplugs and turn the engine by hand (disconnetd CDI).
for better turning you might spray some wd40 to loosen her up

b) fire her up (reinstall plugs, rough chek of cables and hoses, fresh fuel..)

unless you refurbish everything prior your first ignition, you won't find out if/how she runs.
if scared, prepare sweeping towels to cath up major leakage and have fire extinguisher handy :D

and if you go further testing, i.e. go for a spin, be reminded that the brake fluid is probably dead.
not to say: test the brakes before entering traffic.

No plans on driving yet...LOL. I just want to test the engine.

I'm not worried about leaks and such since I'll do a reseal anyway. My bigger concern would be a fire (fuel line cracked or similar issue), stuck valve in the head, stuck oil pressure relief valve, or something else from all this time sitting.

I would try to start it. If the car has been sitting for many years (how many?) it probably has many other needs that should be addressed such as the brake system as Flojo suggests. Knowing you have a running engine would allow you to focus on getting it road worthy and drive it a little before deciding what you should do to the engine. You might be surprised at how good it runs and leave it that way for a while.