Pre start suggestions

[GLIDER]

My 82 has been in the body/ paint shop for almost 2 years and hasn't been started since driving to the shop. Paint looks great by the way, I had it brought home on a roll back. Any suggestions for pre starting ? I'm planning on draining the fuel that's in the tank , maybe the fuel filter and oil . Any thoughts ?

[djape1977]

check the condition of timing belt.

[quillin]

based on my recent experiences, I would suggest pulling the fuel sending unit from tank and have a look at tank, if it is anything like mine the tank needs to be pulled and cleaned. Fuel sending unit is easy to get to and gives you a good view of the tank.
I think we all should start at tank and work forward, and it would save a lot of grief and probably $$.

I'm no expert but have pretty well replaced everything from front to back on fuel system and I personally would be way ahead if I had pulled the tank 2 yrs ago when I bought the 1980 Spider. it was a driver and ran but constantly little issues kept popping up. I know now most were related to the rusty tank.

[divace73]

check the condition of timing belt.

+1 plus all the other stuff....

[TX82FIAT]

At a car show in Pearsall Texas this weekend and was speaking with a guy from a shop that specializes in getting old motors to run again. Funny guy and his catch phrase was "old motors just want to run". He mentioned he has been seeing more rust in the tank and engine on cars that have only been sitting only for four or five years. I asked if he thought it was because of the ethanol in the gas brining more moisture into the engine, tank and other items. He said without a doubt it is the newer fuels destroying older cars that sit.

+1 for starting with the tank, blowing out the lines, changing filters, cleaning injectors, checking connection points, hoses and integrity of hard lines running under the floor.

[majicwrench]

WOW, two years isn't that long, it drove into the shop??? I would pull plugs, add just a bit of lube (wd40 or dexron, or even a bit of 5w-30 NOT MUCH) to cylinders, install plugs, add what fresh fuel you can, and fire it up. Or you can overhaul the whole thing from one end to the other.
40 years ago I saw old cars with varnish, rust etc etc etc in fuel tank, carb lines etc etc. Aint nothing new. Is always fun to blame something tho.
Keith

[TX82FIAT]

Did not realize it was only two years. That is what happens when you don't pay attention to detail... you miss a detail. Along with pulling plugs and adding a teaspon full of lube or so you may try some gas stabalizer. Changing the fuel filter is always a cheap and quick thing to do. How much gas does the tank have in it now?

[Flatspyder]

if your pulling the gas tank, i would buy some ATF 1-2 qts and and slush it around for a bit in the gas tank. then let it drain out. install gas tank, and add gas. change fuel filters and you should be all good to go. old motorcyle gas tank trick.

[GLIDER]

thanks for the input , it has less than a 1/4 tank of fule in it and the tank was in pretty good shape when it went into the shop. I just want to avoid as many issues once running as possible.