I recently found a 1971 Chevelle SS 454 LS5 that has been setting in a barn for over 10 years. The owner doesn't know if it jumped time or just needed a tune up when it got to where it wouldn't start. We have agreed on a price but in order to get classic car financing I need for the car to start and at least pull forward 1 foot and pull in reverse for 1 foot. Does anyone have suggestions as to what all I should be prepared for in order to get the car to start. I will trailer it home, so the starting is merely for the appraiser.
Thanks
Kert Hulett
hm khulett@austin.rr.com
wk hulett@spec.com

Is the gas tank empty? I would think you should probably empty out the gas tank and put in a few gallons of new gas, that 10 yr old stuff isn't gonna be worth anything. Also bring all the tools you need to tune a carburetor, basically an assortment of screw drivers and 1/4" rachet set. Good set of booster cables. I suppose if you have you could bring spark plug wires or a distributor, maybe just a new cap and rotor would be a good idea, your going to want to replace these anyway so probably should just bring them with you to get it started.

Just thought of another thing, might want to bring some kind of compressed air to blow out the carb, if you don't have an air compressor you could get one of those cans of compressed air used for cleaning computers, they actually have a decent amount of pressure.

One last thing, stick a horse shoe you know where for good luck http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Chris Dagenais
Saskatchewan
'71 Malibu with a home built 454!
"Hard work MAY pay of in the long run, but laziness pays off NOW"
My Chevelle (http://www.ycworld.net/home/Car.html)

[This message has been edited by Gandalf80 (edited 11-06-2000).]

An easier alternative -

Go ahead and purchase the car using conventional financing. Get it home, tinker with it until you can meet the appraisers 1 foot requirements, then re-finance it with the more favorable terms of the classic car loan.

Dan

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Awww, fer cyrin out loud, there's that IMPALA guy again.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ss3964spd?d&.flabel=fld1&.src=ph

I'm hesitant to advise on this subject. I thought about how most of the time I add gas,install a batt. and start. Simple, huh?

Well...........not so simple when you consider it's been sitting for 10 years. The engine could be frozen, if not it will need to be pre-lubed so you don't spin it dry trying to start it.

Then, if it has jumped time......all bets are off..........

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"Laissez Le Bon Temp Rouler' Cha!"

"Jungle"Jim
A&P/ASE T/C#105
70SS396 & 70 Malibu
"I don't drive FAST, I just FLY low!"

Any TC'rs in his area that could possibly help him out in person ?????

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RicksRag
Stephen City, Va
TC # 560
ACES # 3702

Guys:
Thanks for the advice! The car is in Oklahoma in a barn. I plan on taking a vacation starting Nov 22, Wed and going up with my pickup, tools and spare parts. I hope to get it started within a couple of days. I figured if anyone could give the "been there done that" kind of advice it would be you guys. I plan on removing the distributor, inserting an oil-pump type of tool and with the spark plugs out trying to slowly turn the engine. If I get past that point with no problems I'll put a rebuilt carb on, drain all gas and gas lines and put fresh gas with heat and octane boost in. change points, plugs, wires, rotor, distributor cap etc. Install new battery and wherrrr........give it a try! All advice and/or help is appreciated!!!!

Sounds like you have got the right approach. Don't forget a new fuel filter. The old one will most likely be pretty cruddy and maybe all crumbly. If you can blow out the gas lines, that would be a good idea too but you should be able to do the +/- one foot thing with just a new filter in line.

Good luck.

I recently started one that supposidly sat for nine years, I pulled the plugs and put some auto trans oil in each cylinder, my grandpa showed me this trick, spun the thing a few times. changed the oil added gas, battery and away she went.

but knowing that it didn't run when parked puts a different spin on it. Jumped timing? talking timing chain there. Distributor maybe hosed, have one laying around? Coil, plugs, Fuel pump might be a good thing to have with ou as well as hoses for fuel lines. No need for a fire in that old barn. I'd be armed with enough ignition stuff to replace it all.

Maybe you can work a deal with the guy to give him something down to drag it home. Then after getting it running, and financed paying him the rest. JUST GET IT ALL IN WRITING to avoid problems later on. I'm sure a local lawyer in the worst case or a local Notary if all is friendly can help you with it. A few extra bucks but well worth a long distance legal battle.

Good luck with the car. Sounds like a great find.

Let see;
You are going to change fuel, maybe blow out the fuel lines, clean up the carb and filter, check for oil pressure,then put some spark to it.In an old barn... Bring 2 Fire Extinguishers just in case.

Where in Oklahoma? I live in Tulsa. I'm no expert but I can try!

Tim

WHERE THE HECK IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S LOAD IT ON MY TRAILER AND BRING IT TO THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU WANNA GO NOW????????????????????????????

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Tom Parsons

[This message has been edited by DZAUTO (edited 11-06-2000).]

I prefer the oil in the cylinders a couple of days before I turn it over. This will maybe reduce the possibility of breaking rings. Install fresh plugs. Drain the oil and replace the filter. Add new oil, disconnect the coil wire, turn the engine over with the starter for a while . This should prelube. One trick I used in the past, was take the coil wire out of the cap and secure it an inch from the terminal in the cap. This sometimes delays the spark enough to run the engine.

Good thing I didn't find it first Kert!! DZ's a good man. You can take him at his word. If you need another mechanic though, stop by on the way up!!!

You didn't mention if it was an auto tranny or manual. If its an auto you might want to bring along a can of JB tranny stop leak and 2 or more quarts of tranny fluid.

Wow!!!
Where do I begin. I can't get the car until After November 22.....that is when I will have time to take my vacation. I can't believe the overwhelming support you guys are offering. DZ, yes lets get it. If you guys want to help I'll give you a heads up in a couple of weeks....where it is, when exactly I plan to be there etc. I don't have a trailer at this time but would be glad to pay for the use of yours. I like your attitude...Lets get it right now!!! I've waited for 32 years a couple of weeks won't hurt anything. I am probably going to need to buy a rebuilt quadrajet carb, a fan and fan clutch (that is the only thing missing on the car)Any and all tune up replacement parts, a battery and whatever else we can think of. I asked the owner to put the trans oil in the cylinders last sunday night. So it should have time to soak a bit. DZ/Randy if you guys are serious about the help I could use it. Let me know your numbers so we can plan this out. I'm so excited I can't hardly sleep at night.
Cheers
Kert

HUlett, would love to join you as you pass through Fort Worth on the way to Oklahoma but alas, can't get away. Watch out for our Okie friends and don't let them squirrel your car away. Us Longhorns have to watch our back all the time especially after the ambush in the Cotton Bowl this year. Have fun and take pictures of the whole adventure so we can see how it turns out (and what Tom Parsons really looks like !) http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1970 SS 396 El Camino
1970 SS 396 Hardtop
1986 SS Choo Choo Elky
TC Gold #155

hulett, ask tom if he is going to drive that swell chevelle rag top,if so i would join just for the ride.