Picked up a 54 Olds 88 last July 7. As of last Friday, I actually have a****le to the car. (wasnt gonna start work on something I didnt legally own for obvious reasons) http://home.att.net/~oldsranch3/54/54.htm The car was parked in 1966 due to a death in the family of the previous owner. Driven in and shut off. To get this thing running again after nearly 40 years, what suggestions do you have? I've heard of pulling all of the plugs out and filling the cylinders with WD-40 to loosen things up, and also liberally attacking the valvetrain with the same stuff. (I have some slow times workin on the 53 stude occasionally, so this is the backup project). Lets hear it! (literally)
OLDSRANCH: Remove the spark plugs. Be sure the engine turns over well. Flush all fluids, water and oils. Replace with NEW and filter. PRIME to oiling system with a drill. Install NEW Champion spark plugs gapped at .030 Install NEW battery, Clean cables OR replace with NEW (I'd put new ones on myself) Install NEW fuel filter. Install NEW gas. Install points, rotor, cap, wires. Then fire it up! Glenn
sweet score, I would be thinking liberal application of WD40 and some time to sit would be a good idea, I might even suggest pulling the rocker covers and turning it over with the coil off to check valve movement once you have let it sit...... but I ain't an expert and mine hadn't sat that long
what everyone said plusull the valve covers and lube the***** out of everything,then turn it over by hand and check for movement(as mentioned),you will prolly' see everything move,with the exception of some valves after sitting that long,you may even hear some slam shut after the rocker arm relieves the pressure on it. shaft mounted rockers?just pull the whole shooting match and look and lube. can save you some bent pushrods and other damaged doo dads. good luck. i cranked up my 59 ford after a 20 year nap,and those were the events that happened to me. on a good note,all i did to it was fresh points,fresh battery,and a float bowl full of lacquer thinner,spun over about twice and BAM,she was running!
If it's seized, Marvel Mystery Oil works great. Pull the plugs and fill the cylinders. Last car I used it on, it took 2 weeks, but it soaked in enough to let it turn easily.
I pulled the plugs and squirted some P'Blaster in the cylinder of my flatty. After a week it would turn. But I don't think it sat as long as your Olds. I do know that P'Blaster works alot better for me on rusted steel than wd40.
[ QUOTE ] OLDSRANCH: Remove the spark plugs. Be sure the engine turns over well. Flush all fluids, water and oils. Replace with NEW and filter. PRIME to oiling system with a drill. Install NEW Champion spark plugs gapped at .030 Install NEW battery, Clean cables OR replace with NEW (I'd put new ones on myself) Install NEW fuel filter. Install NEW gas. Install points, rotor, cap, wires. Then fire it up! Glenn [/ QUOTE ] What Glenn said, but EVERY time i do a new project, it gets new brake lines and fuel lines front to back. The wheel cylinders and master cly. are most likely gone too. And at least the tank gets sealed unless it needs replaced. If you're gonna fire it, you know you're gonna want to drive it. Why not get it road ready before hand?! It may seem like overkill, but i think its just good thinking. my .02
Everthing said above plus lube everthing from the suspension to the universal joints. I´ve a 62 Impala coupe which had been sitting for 35 years with only 14500 miles on the clock. I did everything besides lubing the driveline universal joints and changing the radiator hoses. Both ,the joints and the upper hose ,were gone within 50 miles.
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