Start Up routine after 30+ year hibernation??

[g356gear]

I have recently inherited a 64 Impala SS327 Convertible that my grandmother bought brand new. The car hasn't seen the road since the mid 1970's, 59K miles on the clock. It's been in heated, ambient storage all this time. I am looking for a checklist for getting the car ready to start again. I thought about the usual suspects, new plugs and maybe a carb rebuild. Any recommendations for getting it ready to fire after sitting so long? Here's a few pics as she sits now.

[78SilverZ28]

Wow looks like it was stored properly!

Fill the cylinders with marvel mystery oil and slowly turn the engine over by hand to free up the rings without damaging them, then turn over with the spark plugs out to spit out the oil. That should get the compression back up

[Vegas69]

• Drain and clean the fuel tank
  Rebuild the carb
  Fuel Filter
  Fresh oil and filter
  New plugs
  New coolant
  New PS fluid
  Bleed the brakes
  New belts
  Trans fluid
  Air Filter
  Grease the bushings
  Prime the oil pump for 10 minutes
  Repack the front hug bearings?
  Check the rear end great or better yet, change
  Agree with oiling the cylinders and spinning it by hand first and then with the starter..

[waynieZ]

That looks awesome! Before you turn it over make sure to change the oil and use a primer tool and get the oil pressure up. Then you can put something on the crank bolt and turn it be hand. A little mystery oil in the cylinders is a good idea too. Plus everything Todd said.

[GNon18s]

Lucky!!

[clill]

First off I would see if you can turn the engine by hand. If it turns you are in great shape. Pull the plugs and squirt a little Marvel Mystery oil in them and let sit for a couple days.....


Actually...Just sell me the car. Beautiful car.
My 70 Z hadn't been started for 36 years and it was locked up tight. It is fine now and the lid has not been off the master cylinder since the car was assembled.

[clill]

And pleeeaseee don't do any detailing-painting under the hood. People looking for survivors want them untouched. There are less and less of them left as people keep fixing them up.

[NAPA 68]

Originally Posted by clill

And pleeeaseee don't do any detailing-painting under the hood. People looking for survivors want them untouched. There are less and less of them left as people keep fixing them up.

Yes^^^^^

I'd think about replacing the fuel pump as well. The diaphram in the pump will rupture sooner than later. Great car!

Tim

[214Chevy]

Me personally, I would just get it rebuilt to make it trustworthy and roadworthy of 70 mph on a city highway. Now, I know that may not make sense to the masses, but that's just me. But, you must mark everything and make sure it is your block, etc. that you get back to keep it all original. By the way, beautiful car. The white seats are still as white as if they were stitched and covered today.

[Tiger]

talk about a nice time capsule.

sorry bout the loss of your grandmother tho.