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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ It's Alive... Alive!!! umm... now what?

Posted by: beemie96 Apr 19 2005, 03:02 PM

Tested the coil - that didn't test as well as I thought, so I cleaned the points, and it tested better. But, still no spark.

What could it be? plug wires? Nah, they're pretty new, as are the dist cap, rotor, points, condenser, etc. But, everything looked to be in order and testing like it should work... so I finally employed the wife to start the car while I watched the distributer spin... guess what... the points weren't opening! Apparently they were replaced, but not set properly, and the dist wasn't moving them. So I 'eyeballed' it, put everything back together, and tried it again...

Spark! Whoo Hoo!

So, could it be that easy? hook up the plug wires again, turn the key

It sputtered! Holy crap! That means spark got to a plug!

Turn the key, hold it for a good minute while the car struggles...

And it starts! It's alive! Whoo hoo!

Now, I was told that it hadn't run in years, and it's got enough crap burning off it, and enough smoke coming from the exhaust that I believe it. But, it started and ran for 10 minutes! It's leaking oil at the tube seals, so they're on order from Pelican, as are shifter bushings, valve cover gaskets, speed bleeders, brake fluid, and some other items.

Still plenty to do, but when the engine starts, it just feels more productive. Now I know I'm working on a 'running' car!

Any suggestions on the things I need to do before I put this baby on the road? I'm sure some things will crop up after i test drive it... but i want to survive the test drive!

Posted by: markb Apr 19 2005, 03:26 PM

You've already replaced all the fuel lines, injecter lines & seals, and put in a new fuel filter, right? New vacuum hoses too, right? New rubber brake lines? Made sure the calipers are free & working properly, with good pads? All new brake fluid? Those are where I start with a car that's been sitting. That way you're not going to catch fire, and when it starts rolling you can stop. If you haven't done those things, do them, then ask for more. There's a ton of stuff to do to a car that's been sitting.

Oh yeah, CONGRATS!!
The first of many steps into slow insanity.

Posted by: 914helo Apr 19 2005, 03:33 PM

Congratulations I second about making sure you change the fuel lines. I left my car for 3 years once when I went overseas and when I came back it started right up, but I smelled something. Looking in the engine compartment I had my own little fountain of fuel! I changed the fuel filter but forgot about the fuel lines

Posted by: beemie96 Apr 22 2005, 09:50 AM

Yep, all new fuel lines and vacuum hoses. Forgot about the fuel filter though! Dernit! I'll do that.

Thanks for the tip on the brakes, I'll do that as well.

Posted by: Gint Apr 22 2005, 02:22 PM

You probably ought to get fresh gas also. If the stuff in the tank is old, you really don't want to use it. But that would mean pulling the tank, and then... and then... $$$ until you stop pulling, cleaning, replacing worn out old crap. It never ends.

Congrats!

Posted by: Rand Apr 22 2005, 03:01 PM

Agree... just how old is the gas in there, and how much? If you don't want to pull the tank, you could at least siphon most of it out and put some fresh in there. She will thank you. Kinda like a fresh cup of coffee after trying to drink that stuff that was cooking down in the pot all morning.

Posted by: beemie96 Apr 23 2005, 09:29 AM

Well, you all will be proud... maybe...

The gas is all fresh and new. Part of this process was installing a tank that the PO had bought. It's basically a brand new tank. New fuel lines under there as well.

And fresh coffee in my cup this morning!

HOWEVER... it's a tank from a later year, so the expansion tank that I have doesn't fit... I'm going to need one of those. Any ideas?

Were there just two tanks? early and late?

You guys have been a great help! I will take a couple of pics today and post them later on. My parts didn't arrive yet from Pelican, so today I'm going to clean the car up a bit and do a little more POR-15 processes...

Posted by: 914fire Apr 23 2005, 09:50 AM

Is there a thread on here somewhere for replacing fuel lines? I need to do that too.

Posted by: beemie96 Apr 23 2005, 09:57 AM

I had a thread on this a couple weeks back:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=28551&hl=

that might help you.

Posted by: 914fire Apr 23 2005, 10:15 AM

Thanks.