Discovering a classic vehicle at the right price is the hard part, getting it running should be a little easier so long as you follow these steps.
It takes some skill and a lot of luck to uncover a classic vehicle that has been sitting untouched for years. These barn finds can be in all sorts of conditions. Some just require a bit of gas and a new battery, others need to be towed to a garage for a full restoration, but most sit somewhere in between. You’ll save a ton of money if you can get the vehicle up and running under it’s own power instead of towing it, so if the owner is willing to let you tinker with the vehicle for a bit, give it a shot.
When a vehicle has been sitting for an extended period of time, there’s a few basic items to go over before attempting to start it and get it back on the road. Engines need three things to start: fuel, spark, and air, to start. Let’s go over these items in a bit more detail.
CHECK THE FUEL
Gas that has been sitting in a fuel tank for years should not be pumped into your engine. It can contain sediment from oxidation and water from condensation that has accumulated in the tan. Old fuel usually doesn’t combust properly.
So check the fuel tank for a drain plug and remove the remaining fuel. If there is no drain plug, use a ball siphon to transfer the old gas into fuel canisters. Then put new gas in the tank and replace the inline fuel filters running from the tank to the fuel pump and from the pump to the carburetor.
REPLACE THE BATTERY
Start with a fresh new battery when getting an old car up to and running. You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of cranking power to get the engine to turn over. Don’t mess with old batteries, just recycle them.
PULL THE PLUGS
Install a fresh set of spark plugs, a new distributor cap, and plug wires if needed. This will ensure that there are no fouled plugs and that the new fuel is properly burned.
CHECK THE AIR FILTER
Engines need to breathe and air filter elements can easily get clogged by leaves and debris over time. Make sure the air filter is clean before starting an old engine, and the air intake is also clear of rat nests and any junk that may have wound up in there.
REPLACE THE TIRES
It’s likely the tires on an old vehicle will need to be inflated, but they probably won’t hold air very long at all since rubber tends to break down over time. If you can get the tires inflated and they hold air a bit, take it slow and drive straight to the nearest tire shop to get new tires. Just be careful; it’s extremely dangerous to drive on old tires as you could experience a blow out at any time.
Getting a classic car or truck up and running under it’s own power is quite an accomplishment. But once you’ve got the vehicle to your workshop or garage, you can really start to wrench on it, and take joy in the fact you’ve rescued a vehicle from years of neglect.
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