cranking a car that has been down for four years

anthony · 12-30-02, 02:52

i have 68 350 engine that i tried to crank last night and i'am having trouble trying to get it started the rotary and distributer caps seems to be okay but it back fires like crap out of the caburator which is a holley and helps for me please post

tyymm · 12-30-02, 01:45

did you drain all the fluids, remove the battery, etc. before letting the car sit for 4 years?? if not, you might have to rebuild the engine

bretfraz · 01-02-03, 04:16

I'd look for dirt or crud in the carb first. Remove the carb and clean it as best you can, even try a rebuild. If the car was not properly stored all these years old fuel could have gummed up the jets or causing parts to stick.

Have you checked the timing? Are you getting spark at all the cylinders? Is there enough fuel being fed to the carb? Is the fuel line or fuel filter clogged somewhere?

ghlavaty · 01-02-03, 05:33

I have and also have friends that have done this. Here are a list of things I can remember that have happened to one or more of the vehicles.

-Carb, the worst problem, fuel evaporated leaving a resin in fuel bowls, jets, lines, filter, and ports. Accelerator pump and power valve diaphram dry rot and deteriorated. Required a disassemble and rebuild.

-Distributor contact areas corroded. Wouldn't rotate properly, (gummed up/corroded?). Replaced.

-Spark plugs, corroded. Replaced.

All of the engines were drained/refilled w/fuel and oil. Then, probably most importantly, the oil pump was primed prior to attempting to start. One other thing I can remember doing to a boat engine was removing the spark plugs and spraying WD-40 into the cylinders (let sit for awhile) and turning engine w/large socket and breaker bar. Good luck

99StangMan · 01-02-03, 07:07

Backfire through the carb sounds like a timing problem. Try looking at your plug wires to see if they are cracked or otherwise damaged...especially where two wires cross eachother, you could have a crossfire condition. If the engine won't start or idles rough try backing off on the advance about 10 degs. If it idles decently put a timing light on it and set to specs. Of course there should be fresh oil in the crankcase and if at all possible use fresh gas...I used a gas can and a piece of rubber hose connected to my fuel pump inlet when I test fired my 289 after a lengthy rebuild...because if you have old gas in your tank it's probably not good to try to troubleshoot any engine problems with it. Priming your oil pump is necessary but a couple of good 5 second cranks with the coil wire removed will make sure you get immediate oil pressure. Hopes this helps ya...