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Cars not run in 25 years--recommendations?

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ktemkin

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I've got a couple of cars that I salted-away about 30 years ago, while I was in college--and I've recently retrieved them. One is a '60 MG'A' and another is a '60 Mini. They were both in relatively good, and very original and unrestored condition. Both were bought from original owners who babied them as their children. When I put them in a storage unit, and locked them up, I didn't intend to abandon them, but stuff happens. I recently retrieved them from the storage unit and I'm going to start rebuilding the hydraulics, fuel systems, etc. and generally getting them in running condition. I have not yet touched the engines, or even attempted to determine if the engines are "free." Does anyone have any recommendations about working with engines that have not run in 25 years (and were not necessarily put away with that intention). I'm thinking about pulling the spark plugs and filling the cylinders with some penetrating oil, for about month, before I even think of turning the engines over. Assuming the engines are "free," or can get there easily, I thought I'd change the oil, fog the cylinders with storage oil and turn it over without the spark plugs, using the starter motor. If I've got oil pressure and everything is okay to that point, I figure I'd change the oil again and start workin' on starting the things up. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?
 
John, What a great place to point. That is a very complete list of what you need to do and better than my drain it all, flush it all, and rebuild every seal you can think of advice.
 
Looks like a pretty good list, my Midget sat for 18 years and I followed similar precautions. I might add to be prepared for possible frozen brake pistons, frozen brake adjusters, frozen handbrake cable... In short, be prepared for several frozen items, including the engine. I was luck, my engine wasn't frozen and responded well to just changing the oil and turning over with the starter. You might want to do some electrical checks before connecting the battery, to make sure there are no shorts. I had to fix several flaky switches and lamp holders that needed some cleaning to get all the lights working again. Definitely change all the fluids, and the cooling system might need flushing out.

-Dave
 
Very complete list, but unless I missed it, he forgot one thing. Before starting the car, disconnect the coil wire and crank (foot off the gas) the engine until you can read oil pressure on the gauge. It may take 30-60 seconds. Then reconnect the coil wire and start it.
 
Maynard's suggestion is really worth doing. I would pull the plugs first to get better cranking speed.

Guinn
 
We've started many sleeping beauties....it's really not that difficult.....follow the steps above and you'll be fine....I highly recommend shooting penetrating oil down the cylinders(if the motor is seized).

Zack
 
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