Any tips on getting a car running after sitting 10 years?

I am going to try to get the 63 Country Sedan running after it has sat for 10 years, I need to at least to be able to drive it around the yard and into the garage. The previous owner said it ran fine when it was parked with nothing major mechanical wrong causing him to stop driving it. I have spun the engine over by hand so I know it is not frozen up. I have gotten cars running after sitting before but nothing this old or that has sat for this long. I have disconnected the fuel pump inlet line and am going to run a gas container under the hood since it has bad gas. Anyone have any tips or have any other websites I can go to get help before I start this adventure? Thanks, Bill

 

I would first remove the spark plugs and put a tablespoon of Marvel Mystery Oil into the cylinders, and crank it over for a few seconds with the plugs out. This will lube the cylinder walls and rings. Before you totally remove the spark plugs, blow around them with compressed air to dislodge any dirt that is in the spark plug recess. I usually loosen the plugs 1 turn before doing this. After you have lubed the cylinders, let it rest for a day or two to soak in. Then put new plugs into the engine, and also clean the ignition points. After all this is done, it is ready to start. I would put a splash of gasoline into the carburetor throat and crank it over. It should fire and then stall. It will take a little while for the fuel pump to fill the carburetor fuel bowl. If all goes well, it should run. I would let it idle for at least a half hour, and when the engine is hot, I would shut it down and drain the old oil and change the filter. Also check the radiator to make sure there is coolant in there. Expect the fan belts to squeal, and possibly it will develop a water pump leak or a frozen alternator. DON'T TRUST THE BRAKES!!!!

 

I would try to prime the oil pump before cranking it. The bearings are probably dry.

 

All the above. Expect most of the seals/gaskets to be dried out and I'll double the comment about brakes. I've blown a couple of lines driving old cars home. Not fun.
My 87 Caprice wagon sat for 5 yrs before I got it.
You'll find rodent and wasp nests in places you'd never think to look. It had 3 large, shed black snake skins also. With all the rodent nests it had I suspect the wagon was a buffet table for snakes.
Considering the number of wasp nests I got away with only three stings.

 

I wouldn't even start it with that old oil. Change the oil first.
And you can prime the oil by disconnecting the coil and just cranking it with the starter.

Chances are there will be sludge in the carb and it will need a serious teardown and cleaning.
A can of Seafoam in the gas might help if that's not possible.

 

Thanks for the tips!, I will try these and report back on how it goes.

 

Handy Andy beat me to it. The carb is always a weak spot for a car that has sat a long time. Plan on a rebuild or replacement. However, the mentioned splash of fuel down the carb neck should tell you if you're getting fire. Replace the fuel filter, too.

 

Hey Bill.....did you try cranking that 63 up yet? Keep us posted.

 

I have always been of the opinion that the oil that is in the crankcase has done whatever damage it was going to do just by sitting in the crankcase. I always start it with the old oil, and run the engine until the oil is hot. Once hot, I remove the drain plug, and allow the old oil to drain for 24 hours. Once the engine has cooled, remove the oil filter and replace. Install new oil, and enjoy the ride.
My reasoning for doing it this way, is why waste new oil on an engine that might not run. Just because someone says it was running when parked, doesn't mean that it is true. Memories and facts fade with time.

 

Oil is still cheap.

 

oh..to reprime it proper ...you'll be pulling the distributor....getting a socket and extension that fits the OIL DRIVE shaft...(or the proper tool..but thats just silly)...then fire a drill on to the extension and hit it!!....in a couple minutes you will have fired oil back thru it all.

but mind ya...if it hasnt been truned over lately....try doing that by hand!!!
dont just chuck a battery into and start crankin!!!

 

It runs!!

I got it running today!, I pulled the plugs out the other day and squirted some Marvel Mystery oil down the cylinders, today I cranked it over a few times and then put the plugs back in. It took some time before it fired off but it finally started up, it didn't smoke as bad as I thought and seems to run smooth, the transmission move into drive and reverse OK. I need to change the oil tomorrow and change a couple flat tires so I can move it around the yard.

 

Great news, Bill! I like that 'ol wagon.

 

got my fingers crossed ya didnt hurt anything...

good on ya Bill

 

I waited too long. I was hoping that you would post a video of the initial start. Got one of it running?