I have a Ford 2.3 that hasn’t run in 20ish years. However everything seems in check but I just want to make sure all the basics have been covered.
-I’ve changed the timing belt, and accessory belts.
-Verifed the carb is clean, clear, and all linkages are able to freely move.
-Changed fluids/filters
-Put oil down the cylenders for lubrication.
-Turned the motor by hand in hopes of getting oil where it needs to be.
-Cleared any visable debris from the coolant passages
-Verified Waterpump, and Alt freely turn.
Just want to make sure I’m not missing anything before I attempt to fire it up next week. And see if anyone has any useful input.
When I started my car after only two years of storage, I did exactly what you did. I also pulled the fuel pump fuse to build oil pressure first (but you’re carbed so that’s pretty much moot).
I also drained my fuel tank and put fresh gas in there, but I’m sure you did the same, especially after 20 years.
The only thing I can think of is maybe taking the water pump off to take a look at what things look like on the inside where coolant once ran. Coolant when it sits, typically ends up turning into this flakey powdery shit, that may clog your cooling system. It also may even get oxidized all on the inside of the water passages. Other than that, sounds like everything is good to go.
change fluids, fully charge battery, ad a little oil to the cylinders via spark plug holes remove fuel and spark source, crank engine over 10 seonds at a time do not overheat starter, look for oil pressure, then proceed to reinstall spark plugs, fuel source and start engine.
Set timing, idle etc depending on what you can set.
i would actually flush the fuel system aswell.
Old fuel can make a mess of the inside of the lines, not to mention it burns terrible and makes the car run like shit.
Engine has been out of the car, and stored inside for about 20ish or more years, no fuel anywhere, same goes for the coolant passages which have little rust.
Though I didn’t think about checking the pump out though, I’ll inspect that. And the distributor as well, I’ll post up results once I get to that point hopefully next weekend. Thanks for the advice. :tup: