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Topic: Tear-down or not..

in Forum: C3 Engines

Tear-down or not..

Posted: 12/29/12 7:07am Message 1 of 4
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Canada
Joined: 12/2/2012
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1969 427/390 Sport Coupe *Stored since 1984*
My car (1969 427-390 S/C) has been sitting in a garage since 1981 and was last fired-up briefly in 1994 apparently. The storage conditions have been dry (and cold in the winter) and the underside shows no corrosion, so it is reasonable to think there is minimal corrosion on the cylinder walls.
Should I dismantle the engine and go over everything or try to fire it up (of course after soaking cylinders walls with oil, turning by hand, priming the oil system)? Comments appreciated.


|UPDATED|12/29/2012 7:07:21 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



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Re: Tear-down or not..

Posted: 12/29/12 11:18am Message 2 of 4
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
 I'm no expert but considering your precautions taken, I can't see any reason not to fire it up. I'd make sure the oil is fresh and the fuel clean and new filters of course. Keep us informed.


Re: Tear-down or not..

Posted: 12/29/12 11:56am Message 3 of 4
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Peru, IN - USA
Joined: 6/2/2010
Posts: 87
Vette(s): 1978 Blue Edition 2001 Torch Red

Did you just get the car? Either way I would check all the fluids( Tranny if it's an auto), fresh gas in the tank if the tank is clean and not rusted or dirty inside. If not sure, I would hook up a temp source of gas. Good time to change plugs see how they look, rotor and cap. Even if you tear down you will need all the new parts anyway. I would try   get it running first, You might have a perfectly good motor just needing some TLC. If it starts or not, do a compression check after to give you an somewhat of an idea what condition the valves, rings and etc. are in. If you have unlimited access to cash, then you can go to teardown first. I've revived some motors that has sat longer and probably in a worse enviroment. If it was a good motor at storage, chances are it will need very little to bring it back to life. Good luck and have fun with it.




Re: Tear-down or not..

Posted: 12/29/12 3:24pm Message 4 of 4
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Red Lion, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182
Vette(s): 1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic
I agree with all recommendations so far. Get some new fuel, I would even go premium! Change oil and filter. I would also try priming the oil pump even tho it means removing the distributor. After priming the oil pump I would pull the coil wire and crank the engine over until there was fuel present at the carb bowl. Check for any fuel leaks at this time. If all looks good put the wire back on and fire it up! Hope all goes well and keep us updated on how you made out.
Rodney



in Forum: C3 Engines


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