Starting a golden oldie

CHARLOTTE · February 12th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Hey guys I'm in the process of confiscating a 1962 olds 98 with a 394 rocket from my father. It was his when he was in high school, and I was interested in rebuilding it. The one catch is that it has been sitting for oh about 15 years. The good news is that it appears to be sound with the exception of surface rust. My question is..... what is the best way to start it up after it has been sitting for so long? My current plan is to replace all the fluids of course, clean the fuel tank of any debris and, replace the battery. What other suggestions do you guys to ease the process.

59-59-59 · February 12th, 2009, 10:30 PM

If it was mine, I would also change the oil, oil filter, remove the distributor and spin the oil pump rod with a drill and 1/4 inch extension ( 5/16 socket I believe) to get the engine lubricated and verify if you have oil pressure. Taking the spark plugs out and squirting oil down the cylinders wont hurt either...just alot of smoke out of the tailpipe

dan2286 · February 13th, 2009, 12:37 AM

Make sure you can turn the engine over by hand first. It might save you from some major headaches.

citcapp · February 13th, 2009, 08:55 AM

Welcome to the site CHARLOTTE the two pervious answers are the way to go. Also change the spark plugs, points, and distributor cap. Replace the fuel filter. Good luck

redoldsman · February 13th, 2009, 10:04 AM

All good advice here from some very good veterans of Oldsmobiles. When you put the drill on the oil pump to turn it, be sure you turn it counter clockwise. Putting the oil in the cylinders is the way to go. I would probably use something like Marvel Mystery Oil and let them soak a day or two. Be sure and turn the engine over several time to be sure you don't have a stuck valve. If it stops, don't force it very much. You might have to pull the valve covers to see if the valve are moving if it won;t turn. ONe note of caution, make sure the distributor is in when you turn the engine so you don't have to screw with the timing. Mark where the rotor is pointing on the distributor and mark the distributor to the engine before you pull it out. There is also a good chance you will have to drop the gas tank and have it flushed and sealed. Be sure and blow the line from the tank to the fuel pump out and be sure it is not rusted. Good luck.

CHARLOTTE · February 13th, 2009, 06:20 PM

Thanks guys. As soon as I talk him out of it I will post some before pics. Its going to be awhile before we get to the after pics though, but thats half the fun.

Oldsguy · February 14th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Charlotte, welcome to our site and get that thing running, we wanna see some pictures too.

CHARLOTTE · February 22nd, 2009, 06:52 PM

HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES I TOOK WHEN WE DRUG THE OLD GIRL OUT OF HER RESTING PLACE OF 20 + YRS. SHE was LAST TAGGED IN 82.

CHARLOTTE · February 22nd, 2009, 07:18 PM

I THINK MY PICS ARE TOO BIG, HOW DO I SHRINK THEM TO 92KB SO YOU GUYS CAN SEE THEM

Yellowstatue · February 22nd, 2009, 11:37 PM

As with all great projects, this one should also start with winding the clock...

csstrux · February 23rd, 2009, 05:11 AM

I just use the stretch skew option in Microsoft photo editor. There is probably a better way, but it works. Welcome to the site. That is one heck of a nice project by the way. I am looking forward to seeing that one come to life

citcapp · February 23rd, 2009, 08:35 AM

The best and most interesting are the ones brought back from the dead. Good luck with the build. We look foward to more pictures

February 12th, 2009, 07:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
CHARLOTTE BigJ91104 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spring,Tx Posts: 7	Starting a golden oldie Hey guys I'm in the process of confiscating a 1962 olds 98 with a 394 rocket from my father. It was his when he was in high school, and I was interested in rebuilding it. The one catch is that it has been sitting for oh about 15 years. The good news is that it appears to be sound with the exception of surface rust. My question is..... what is the best way to start it up after it has been sitting for so long? My current plan is to replace all the fluids of course, clean the fuel tank of any debris and, replace the battery. What other suggestions do you guys to ease the process.

February 13th, 2009, 08:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
citcapp Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 3,453	Welcome to the site CHARLOTTE the two pervious answers are the way to go. Also change the spark plugs, points, and distributor cap. Replace the fuel filter. Good luck __________________ Pat 1957 Super 88 with a 455 1948 2dr series 76 with a 455

February 13th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
redoldsman Proud Viet Nam Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 480	All good advice here from some very good veterans of Oldsmobiles. When you put the drill on the oil pump to turn it, be sure you turn it counter clockwise. Putting the oil in the cylinders is the way to go. I would probably use something like Marvel Mystery Oil and let them soak a day or two. Be sure and turn the engine over several time to be sure you don't have a stuck valve. If it stops, don't force it very much. You might have to pull the valve covers to see if the valve are moving if it won;t turn. ONe note of caution, make sure the distributor is in when you turn the engine so you don't have to screw with the timing. Mark where the rotor is pointing on the distributor and mark the distributor to the engine before you pull it out. There is also a good chance you will have to drop the gas tank and have it flushed and sealed. Be sure and blow the line from the tank to the fuel pump out and be sure it is not rusted. Good luck. __________________ redoldsman

February 14th, 2009, 04:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Charlotte, welcome to our site and get that thing running, we wanna see some pictures too. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

February 22nd, 2009, 06:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
CHARLOTTE BigJ91104 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spring,Tx Posts: 7	HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES I TOOK WHEN WE DRUG THE OLD GIRL OUT OF HER RESTING PLACE OF 20 + YRS. SHE was LAST TAGGED IN 82. __________________ If you cant bump it, dump it(Cowboy Customs)

February 12th, 2009, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
59-59-59 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 308	If it was mine, I would also change the oil, oil filter, remove the distributor and spin the oil pump rod with a drill and 1/4 inch extension ( 5/16 socket I believe) to get the engine lubricated and verify if you have oil pressure. Taking the spark plugs out and squirting oil down the cylinders wont hurt either...just alot of smoke out of the tailpipe

February 13th, 2009, 12:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
dan2286 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 338	Make sure you can turn the engine over by hand first. It might save you from some major headaches.

February 13th, 2009, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
CHARLOTTE BigJ91104 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spring,Tx Posts: 7	Thanks guys. As soon as I talk him out of it I will post some before pics. Its going to be awhile before we get to the after pics though, but thats half the fun.

February 22nd, 2009, 11:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Yellowstatue Certified Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Too close to Toronto!! Posts: 567	Start project As with all great projects, this one should also start with winding the clock...

February 23rd, 2009, 05:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
csstrux Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Janesville wisconsin Posts: 1,659	I just use the stretch skew option in Microsoft photo editor. There is probably a better way, but it works. Welcome to the site. That is one heck of a nice project by the way. I am looking forward to seeing that one come to life __________________ Chad Greed: in psychology is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth

February 23rd, 2009, 08:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
citcapp Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 3,453	The best and most interesting are the ones brought back from the dead. Good luck with the build. We look foward to more pictures __________________ Pat 1957 Super 88 with a 455 1948 2dr series 76 with a 455

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