I own a 1977 Camaro that has not been driven or started for 12 years. I would like to get it running again but don't want to damage the engine or drivetrain in the process. What steps do I need to take to insure that damage will not occur?

Any information from your own experience or a link or two from the Web would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Peppy77

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Change the oil. Pull the distributor, prime the engine with a proper priming tool. Slowly turn it over by hand two complete revolutions. This will get you oiled up splendidly for startup. Make sure your battery is charged. Drain the tank and fuel lines. Rebuild your carburetor. The needle likely isn't going to hold any pressure after sitting that long dry (or gummed up, one of the two). Change the coolant and flush the block. That stuff has been sitting for a long time. If the engine has been sitting with the rocker arms lashed properly you may need to replace your valve springs. Give it a day before you tear into it. If you have Posi, don't get on the gas hard for a few miles. You may want to change out the rear end fluid and check the seals. Check the brakes thoroughly. A car is no good if it won't stop. Check your belts, hoses, and all your fuel lines for cracks or wear, replace as necessary. Hoses get soft from sitting. Check your transmission fluid level. Tranny fluid doesn't go bad from sitting. The tranny is sealed with exception of a vent at the top, so it is likely that it has NOT become contaminated.

Give everything a once over, then crank her up. Have a fire extinguisher handy and don't start it inside the garage. Roll it out. Always start it outside when you're dealing with the unknown. A burned down car is much cheaper to replace than a burned down house.

I helped 'useorloseit77' (member here) fire up a truck that was sitting for about 15 years.

Some of the steps we done and I would recommend are..

1) Change oil and filter

2) squirt some marvel mystery oil into each cyl.

3) useing a 5/8" socket and a breaker bar one the center bolt of crank/damper/pulley turn engine over with it about 5 to 10 times

4) put in new spark plugs

5) change fuel filter (if you have a stock Q-jet the filter will be inside the carb's fuel inlet, take fuel line off carb, then take the big fitting off that the line screwed into. Filter will be there)

6) Drain any old fuel out of the tank, and add new fuel

7) Have good battery in car

8) pour some fuel down the carb.

And if you have the means I would prime/pre oil the engine. Do this after step "7". This involes pulling dist. out and putting a priming/re oiling tool in it's place, putting a drill on it and spinning it till you get oil pressure up. Then re time engine and drop dist. back in

Then fire her up and hope you don't have the same prob. useorloseit77 did.

His old truck was sitting so long that the fuel tank sender/pickup was solid gummed up and rusted. Cleaning wouldnt help, so he had to replace the unit before he could get any fuel through it.


[This message has been edited by night rider (edited July 06, 2005).]

Thanks for the help. Great information.

One more question. Where is good place, online or otherwise, to get parts for my Camaro? Hoses, belts, plugs, filters, and such.

Would a local auto center still carry these types of parts for a '77 Camaro?

Thanks again,
Peppy77

Yes, those parts are usually available.

A NAPA dealer should be able to get any hoses and belts in a day or two if they don't have them on hand.

Good Luck!

Another thing you want to check is the fuel line all the way back to the tank. I'll bet some of the rubber hoses in between the metal lines have dry rotted and your fuel pump will not suck the gas from the tank.

Yeah all auto parts stores will have the common parts for your car.

Stores like Napa, auto zone, advance auto, pep boys, car quest, etc etc.

Most if not all common parts such as belts, hoses, wheel bearings, brake parts, engine gaskets, spark plugs, etc etc will be in stock

its a chevy, put some starting fluid in the carburator, empty gas tank and fill it up, change oil and crank the hell outa it till it starts :-p. my friends dads truck sat for 14 years and we where gona take the engine out it but just for the laugh we tryed to start it, just by useing new gas and starting fluid we got it started in 10mins !

Thanks again for all the replies. I will give it a try and see what happens. I'm keeping my fingers crossed all will go well.

Marriage, kids and motorcycles have all been part of why I let the thing go so long. I almost sold it about 8 years ago. I'm glad I didn't do that at least.

I bought the car used in April of 1984 I was told at the time that it had a 350 in it, and I beleived the guy (hey, I was only 16) and it turns out, after the motor blew, that it was only a 305. Lesson learned, run numbers before buying. That goes without being said anymore.

After not running this car for so long, I've really got the itch now.

Thanks again.



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I am in the same possition with my 81 Z. It has been sitting since 1987. Should the fuel pump be replaced also? And what about the valve seals and lifters?

[This message has been edited by Blue Seducer (edited July 12, 2005).]