Hi everybody, i'd like to collect a few infos about what i should replace or what is probably going to break down on a car that has been sitting for a few years (in a garage though...).
Some people told me about that that the water (or fuel?) pump always breaks down because it needs to be constantly in contact with the liquid it pumps. Is that true? Which one is it by the way, water or fuel pump?
Will it pump a little and break down progressively or do i have to replace it before i even start to fire the engine?
Thanks for your help.

Marc

I say just torch it off and see whatcha got. If it ain't broke, don't fix it I wuz alwez told.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Pumps should be fine - the only thing to worry about would be fuel that has turned to varnish. If anything, rebuild the carb but thats about it.

Wouldn't hurt to pull the plugs and squirt some oil in the cylinders before cranking to coat the cylinder walls because they are probably bone dry now.

How old is the gas?
If it smells funny, trying to run it can cause bent pushrods, among other things.
Drain the tank and flush the fuel line, then change the fuel filter.
I would change the oil and filter before trying to crank it.
Then pull the coil wire so it doesn't fire, spray a bunch of WD40 or your favorite slickum into the intake and crank it around till the oil pressure comes up.
When you do start it (with fresh gas) it'll smoke quite a bit till it clears it's throat.

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aed
/6>V8

Every other poster is dead on right in my opinion, and sad experience suggests something you should check,too and it's easy. On the exhaust manifold grab the manifold flapper valve square external flap or (newer) round weight and make sure the flapper in the manifold has not had its shaft rusted in place. If stuck you will fire up fine, but when warm you will run as if 2 cylinders are shorted. If it is stuck, squirt on some easy off or somesuch and tap the weight and the shaft lightly at the end of the axis like driving a nail, and keep doing this and twisting the weight until the flap moves freely. You can chase pitiful power a long time if you don't find a stuck flap.
rock
'64d100

...actually, my suggestion was just to see if it cranks and see whatcha got before wasting a bunch of effort worrying over and checking nit-picky details - but that's just my technique, don't try this at home! ...of course I've been known to bring a vehicle or two back from the dead, ask anyone who knows me!

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

This from a guy who's signature says "If it ain't broke, fix it!"

Make sure you also flush the old brake fluid out of the brake system. You gotta stop once you get the engine running! I'd also flush the cooling system.

I don't alwez do what I wuz told.

D/W

P. S. - gotta run before you worry about stopping!
P. S. #2 - I got my Jolly Green Giant crunked up after I got it home from the junkyard before I even put a radiator in it!

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Thanks for the good laugh!