Buying a 30 Year Old SS That's Been Stored the Last 20?

[ed1948]

What should I be aware of? Total mileage is near 24xxx miles and it's garage kept.
I did not get a chance to see what work was done to get it on the road again. The car has been safety checked and did get an oil change. No signs of oil leaking where car is stored.

-200r4 trans fluid: can the trans age from unuse? I would change or should a trans shop flush
-brake fluid needs flush
-non posi diff: should be ok?
-coolant: I would change but can there be coolant system corrosion?
-chassis lube: definately

 

[85442/86buick]

change all fluids now , and again in a month.

and NO do not let a trans shop flush the trans , just you changing the fluid , filter and pan gasket.

going into a transmission shop will only be asking for trouble

my .02 cents

 

[tkruger]

I would check all rubber parts for cracks etc. Just preventative you might want to change any hoses, lines and belts. I bought a car that sat for three years and ended up changing several vacuum line looking for a single leak. These thing are generally changed over normal maintenance during use.

 

[ed1948]

I completely forgot the gas tank. I guess the only way is to remove and drain it. First check the fuel fiter(Only one in the carb or is there an inline filter?)

 

[clean8485]

No inline filter (unless someone installed one at some point in the past, but GM didn't install an inline filter on those cars as a factory item). There will be a strainer inside the tank, at the inlet of the sending unit. Otherwise, its just the filter at the inlet of the carburetor.
If the car has been sitting for 20 years, there may be some corrosion in the tank, depending on how much fuel was in it, and whether or not any type of fuel stabilizer was used. IMHO, if there is any corrosion, I would consider replacing the tank and sending unit, and possibly the fuel lines as well. If you don't, it could turn into on ongoing issue, as the dirt and corrosion go through the fuel system over time.

 

[ed1948]

I may look at higher mileage one owner non t top. There may be less storage related issues due to frequent summer use.
But if the price is right then this low mileage, infrequently used, t top might be worthwhile.