What ever you do, don't try to run with 10 year old gasoline! By now it's
partly varnish, or even tar. And it might not have enough volatility left to
start the engine. My fuel line was plugged with black ooze, but that was
after 25 year storage.
Also, TD oil pumps tend to loose their prime after long storage. My pump
losses it's prime somewhere between 6 and 13 months of storage. They are
supposed to be self priming, but it can be troubling to get the pressure
back. The later pumps have a priming plug you can pour oil in. The early
ones, like mine, don't. I always run my TD several times during the winter
just to keep the pump from drying out. After storage the usual advice is to
remove the spark plugs (put a little oil down the plug holes while you're at
it), and turn the engine with the crank until the gauge shows some pressure.
(Leave the key off, so the ignition coil doesn't arc itself.)
The water pump may barf when you first start it, mine did.
Brakes don't like storage, check them out before you drive!
According to recent posts, your tires are past their shelf life no matter
how good they may look. (But, don't get new ones until the car is running.
Some people get new tires right away, and they're expired by the time the
restoration is finished.)
I'm sure you'll get more/better advice from the more experienced members of
the list.
Bob Donahue (Still stuck in the '50s)
Email - bobmgtd@insightbb.com
52 MGTD - NEMGTR #11470
71 MGB - NAMGBR #7-3336
----- Original Message -----
From: "V & J Pina" <vping@optonline.net>
To: "MG-T list" <mg-t@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 2:54 AM
Subject: Restarting a dormant engine
> Hello list,
>
> I have just signed on for the first time as I am finally a TD owner.
> The car has sat dormant for 10 years.
> It is a very original, family owned 1952 TD and the gentleman I bought
from kept very good care of it.
> The battery is dead but I am told it ran perfectly when parked.
> Can the list provide me with the proper procedures for firing it back up
again.
>
> I am sure as time goes on I will have many questions.
>
> Thanks to all.
> Vinnie
> 1952 TD
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/mg-t
|