Car not started for two years: Advice, In "cold storage" in Michigan Options

[orthobiz]

I'm getting my mint 74 1.8 liter soon, and as some of you may know, I looked hard this winter before I found my perfect ride. Along the way I found out about a car in Grand Rapids, Michigan, owned by a fellow who spends the winter in Florida. He's now back in Michigan and is getting ready to sell his car. It's a yellow 74 or 75 (he's not really sure) and it may or may not have some rust ("a little around the turn signals"), etc.

So, now I'm thinking "daily driver" because I've gotten this 914 bug really, really bad this year. What could be bad about having TWO cars???

The problem is he has not started it for two years. Probably has untreated gas in the tank, who knows how much gas. And it was stored in a covered pole barn that is unheated (which means zero degrees in Michigan winter).

Can you just charge the battery and try to start it up? Does the tank need to be drained and the lines changed or flushed or what??? Any idea of how long sitting is "too long?"

Thanks for the advice!

Paul

[Allan]

I would recommend that before you do anything, at least change the oil, drain and refill the tank, replace the battery, pull the plugs and crank it over a few times. This way you can get a vague idea of how the fuel system handles pressure that it hasn't seen in awhile, and the electricals.

Even after you have determined that the fuel lines, rails and electricals are up to snuff I would then replace the fuel filter(s) before actually starting it.

Once you have it running, I would only take it out for a few feet and test the BRAKES (even if you have a solid pedal just sitting in the car because BRAKES are you friend).

If you get that far I would seriously look into the BRAKES again before seriously driving...

IMHO that is... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)