Hello, all...
I'm new to all this and have a few questions as I get started...
Ok.... Last week I bought a 1968 1600 for $600. Not running, of course... Seems
pretty original. I know that the brakes are completely shot, the clutch may or
may not be shot, interior is a joke, radiator looks like its full of gel
(seriously), has an aftermarket random fuel pump that is bypassing the original
one, a little minor rust that is fixable etc... The car has been stored bone
dry of gas but full of oil for the past who knows how many years. I threw a
battery in it just to check if the engine was seized and, thankfully, it
turned. Only spun it for a couple of seconds because I didn't want to mess
anything up.
I want to start it to see if it runs and what I am dealing with (have a manual
on the way from an online source) but I have a couple of questions (I will also
have plenty of questions in the future)...
I know that I have a lot of money and time that I have to spend on the car over
the next couple of years to get it up to snuff. I'm seeking opinions on where I
should start and how much I should REALLY do before I try to fire it up.
I have seen elsewhere a tip sheet on what to do before starting long-idle car
and this is what I'm thinking. I plan on changing all the oil and H20. Should I
replace all the radiator hoses and rod the radiator at this time or will it be
OK to do this in a couple of weeks once I get it running? Belts seem OK.
I am not going to worry about the plugs, wires and distributor just yet, but if
I can't get it firing, that will be one of the first things I look at.
I've never dealt with a dual carb before and am not sure of the exact procedure
as to how to prime it. Any specific tips? Also, is synching the carbs something
that I can do myself (with the manual, of course).
Tips on putting fuel in? Should I absolutely replace the lines, or just check
that they are in decent shape. I'm assuming that I will have to replace them in
the near future.
Do I need to oil prime the engine?
I guess I'm just trying to figure out how much I should do before firing it up
to see if it's a smooth running engine without putting too much money into it.
If the engine is shot or has a blown head gasket or something, I will probably
try to find another car or get a replacement engine rather than try to save it,
know what I mean?
Any other tips at all are greatly appreciated, especially on the dual-carb
priming thing.
Sorry this is so long, everyone... and thanks for the help.
Matthew
'68 1600
Phoenix, Az
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