Starting and old engine

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 10, 2002 | 06:10 PM

the law

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 760

Likes: 0

From: Billings, MT

Starting and old engine

I have a '76 Datsun 710 w/ 1.9L engine on my property. It's engine hasn't been started since last February (2001). Is there any prep work I should do to the engine before firing her up? Should I drain the tank and put fresh gas in? I've never tried this on anything sitting longer than a month or two.

The Law

Feb 10, 2002 | 09:39 PM

Ultramagdan

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 11,496

Likes: 6

From: Kansas

Starting and old engine

Start it now.

I've seen vehicles in storage longer that fired right up. Yes: you could do it right and drain the gas. But why do that if you can fire it up now and run a tank of gas through it. Right now I would be worried about the seals and not the gas.

Feb 10, 2002 | 09:49 PM

Mil1ion

New User

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 0

Likes: 24

Starting and old engine

What I usually do is,
Pull the Spark Plugs
Squirt some oil into each cyl trying toget all around the piston
Turn it over a bunch of times with the coil wire detached
Replace the coil wire
Pour a little fresh gas down the throat of the carb
Turn ignition key.

Dennis

Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"

78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

Feb 11, 2002 | 02:21 AM

the law

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 760

Likes: 0

From: Billings, MT

Starting and old engine

Thanks folks, as soon as it stops pouring I'll pull the mighty Ford up to it, try the oil suggestion, and jump the old thing.

The Law

Feb 14, 2002 | 12:44 AM

the law

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 760

Likes: 0

From: Billings, MT

Starting and old engine

Well Folks, it took a few tries, but I got her up and runnin' again. I squeezed off some oil into each cylinder and as far along the cam as I could reach, then let it sit for a few minutes. I then turned the motor a few moments to lubicate again. Then I connected the plug wires and just kept cranking it until it started. It all went well until I pulled a stupid, and I can't believe I didn't think this through until after I'd tried it. The part I didn't remember was that I had disconnected the driveshaft from the rear diff a year ago. So after the Datsun's been running a few minutes, I put her in Reverse. Nothing happens and I think "Oh yeah, I undid the drive shaft." So I try to put it back in Park. Problem is, I now have no way of stopping the shaft from turning, and so it just grinds trying to go back into park. I had to shut it off in Reverse. I don't think I did any damage but I sure felt stupid.

The Law