Need Guidance

[Jeremy Davis]

Hi, new user here. I have a few questions but believe I need to give a bit of background info.

I just recently was given an 83' Cutlass Supreme Brougham with T-tops. The car came from my grandfather who passed away a little bit ago. The car sat on a farm untouched (not maintained) in a drive way for roughly 7 years. My grandfather had just rebuilt the engine before having health issues that caused him to be wheel chair bound. The passenger side window was left slightly down. The battery was stolen out of it somewhere in the 7 yrs it sat. This car does hold a lot of sentimental value to me.

I'm by no means mechanically inclined, I know the basics (changing brakes, flushing radiators, changing alternators, changing oil, etc). I have no idea where to begin. I know its going to need new rubber hoses and weather stripping since its all dry rotted. But what should I do to start getting her up and running? I'm grateful for any help, because I'm truly out of my depth. I've googled cars that have sat for long periods of time and honestly all their guidance is pointing in 50 different directions.


Thanks,
Jeremy


*EDIT*

Car pics -> pix.sfly.com/CRrCTGN_
Location: Eastern KY

 

[fleming442]

You need to befriend a local car guy or mechanic. Internet instruction is ridiculous. I've been playing with cars for a good 30+ years, and still don't know how to "flush" an alternator....

Okay, that was a little harsh. First thing to do is change the oil. Smell it, and make sure there's no antifreeze or gas in there. 7 years isn't really that long to be sitting, BUT to be on the safe side: pull the plugs before you attempt to crank it over. If it spins freely and the plugs look okay, either put new in or reinstall the old, top off the fluids, pour some fresh gas in the carb vent, and try to fire it.

 

[vanrah]

Welcome Jeremy; As you know, all fluids & that includes the brake fluid, ALL of it, trans, diff, PS, gas & of course the engine . And before ya plug up the carb with crap ya may want to drop the tank & clean it out. Or at least put a filter in line or if it has a OE filter you will be changing it soon after ya fire it up. I'd pull the plugs & squirt some Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders before ya turn it over. Maybe put new plugs in at the same time. But before ya do any of that, sit down & make a plan. And if your going to swap the engine, trans & what not don't waste your money just start taking it apart & put the bucks into the new stuff. Ole' Bob.

 

[Jeremy Davis]

You need to befriend a local car guy or mechanic. Internet instruction is ridiculous. I've been playing with cars for a good 30+ years, and still don't know how to "flush" an alternator....

Okay, that was a little harsh. First thing to do is change the oil. Smell it, and make sure there's no antifreeze or gas in there. 7 years isn't really that long to be sitting, BUT to be on the safe side: pull the plugs before you attempt to crank it over. If it spins freely and the plugs look okay, either put new in or reinstall the old, top off the fluids, pour some fresh gas in the carb vent, and try to fire it.

Lol, I meant to put "flush radiator, change alternator". I had walked away from my computer and didn't proof read. The last local mechanic I befriended taught me how to flush a radiator and splash anti freeze all over the front end of my old car. Another quoted me $700 to change my water pump and tie rods on another car, in all fairness he offered to let me watch . My options are to seek advice from you guys and family over the phone and learn first hand. The plugs were new 7yrs ago. Should I be worried of my ECM with there being a slightly rolled down window on the passenger side?

 

[Jeremy Davis]

Welcome Jeremy; As you know, all fluids & that includes the brake fluid, ALL of it, trans, diff, PS, gas & of course the engine . And before ya plug up the carb with crap ya may want to drop the tank & clean it out. Or at least put a filter in line or if it has a OE filter you will be changing it soon after ya fire it up. I'd pull the plugs & squirt some Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders before ya turn it over. Maybe put new plugs in at the same time. But before ya do any of that, sit down & make a plan. And if your going to swap the engine, trans & what not don't waste your money just start taking it apart & put the bucks into the new stuff. Ole' Bob.

I thought about swapping the engine because its just a 307 bored .030 over, but since it was rebuilt by my grandfather, it's a tad bit sentimental. I know he'd want a 455 olds in it (per my uncles words) but it's rough taking out the engine knowing he rebuilt it himself. What should my game plan be with just what I got (no engine swap). I really am not the knowledgeable when it comes to real mechanics of a car. Should I change anything in order? I do plan on dropping the tank and cleaning it out. Currently, I'm making a few shopping carts on various websites putting in everything I need. The most expensive being a Carb and Battery. I am adding the Marvel Mystery Oil in now, thanks for mentioning it.

 

[TURNA]

Welcome to the site.

How bad is the rust on the car?

When these cars sit they rot twice as fast.

Post pictures if you can.

 

[85442/86buick]

Welcome Jeremy ,

This is a great site for you to ask & learn. Start with basic's .oil / gas / spark.

can I ask why your thinking of replacing the carb ?

Dave

 

[axisg]

the only thing I could add to what Fleming said would be to pull the rubber line that goes in the fuel pump. Run a new line to a jerry can of fresh gas ( less chance of contamination ). I would also recommend looping in a cheap plastic fuel filter from the other side of the fuel pump. Keep it down low and out of the way so no risk of melting / cracking or fire. Just a little debris can cause the carb problems.
Once it fires off and you have it running you know the heart is beating so work over the rest of the patient. Will it go into gear, do the brakes work. Just chug it a foot each way. Then you can shut it down and loop back to change oil, flush fuel then brake lines and start looking for stuff to fix to get it running and reliable.

 

[vanrah]

Good evening Jeremy & all; I question why you want to change the carb? And if you do be very careful not to over carb it. Easily done with a small engine & mild cam. Maybe just rebuild your present unit after you have run it a while. That way if you do get crud in it you'll have reason to rebuild. Good luck Ole' Bob.

 

[Jeremy Davis]

Good evening Jeremy & all; I question why you want to change the carb? And if you do be very careful not to over carb it. Easily done with a small engine & mild cam. Maybe just rebuild your present unit after you have run it a while. That way if you do get crud in it you'll have reason to rebuild. Good luck Ole' Bob.

I apologize for the late reply. I currently do not have the original carb. Someone stole it while it was sitting on my grandfathers farm.