Longest engine has sat and turned over?

[CaliWagon83]

Was wondering if any of you could share any experiences you've had with "barn finds" or cars that have sat for a long time that cranked over and fired up on the first try? I have a vehicle that hasn't run in about five years. I'm nervous about trying to crank it over. Any experiences and advice welcome.

 

[Wageslave]

Pull all of the spark plugs and spray some (not a crazy amount, 3 seconds is plenty) WD-40 into the cylinders, let it set for a little while then crank it over with the plugs out. That should keep any top end issues at bay. Then just try to get it running like any other engine.

 

[CaliWagon83]

Pull all of the spark plugs and spray some (not a crazy amount, 3 seconds is plenty) WD-40 into the cylinders, let it set for a little while then crank it over with the plugs out. That should keep any top end issues at bay. Then just try to get it running like any other engine.

Thanks for the tip. Problem is, I will be coaching people remotely trying to do this. I think I might just be better off getting it transported without starting it, and deal with trying to start it when it gets to the final destination.

 

[Wageslave]

Probably the best if you can do it yourself.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Marvel Mystery oil is a much better choice than WD-40, it's actually a penetrant and designed for this purpose

 

[olds307 and 403]

I know the Dodge flat 6 can sit for decades and fire right up with fresh gas and battery. It has to be one of the most indestructible engines ever made. My Uncle fired up one that sat 40 years! I ran one with no coolant in it for many years, 4 cracks in the block.

 

[Bar50]

I bought a 1974 Ventura that has been parked since 1994. I put Marvel Mystery Oil down the cylinders. Cleaned the points. I turned it over with the plugs out. She started right up.

 

[pontiacgp]

If you haven't paid for the engine yet wouldn't the price of the engine depend on whether it's seized or turns over?

 

[CaliWagon83]

I seriously doubt its seized. It's been garage-kept almost its whole life. My only concerns is that all of the oil has sunk to the pan, and the carburetor might be gummed up with stale gas. I don't doubt I could get it running within a day or two of playing around with it.

 

[Texas82GP]

If it were mine, after pulling all the plugs and treating each cylinder with Marvel Mystery oil, I would try to get the engine to turn by hand. Any resistance and I would pull the valve covers, pull the rockers and check for a stuck valve. I would attempt to free up a stuck valve by hitting the valve spring with a rubber hammer. If I got this far, I would change the oil and filter and pull the distributor and prime the oiling system. I would also clean/rebuild the carb before attempting to fire it up. If the cooling system looked real bad, I wouldn't do all this. I would simply pull it and take it from there.