starting an engine after long storage

[brddog7683]

Hi guys, I'd like to ask a question concerning my engine in the Firebird. I haven't had the car out for about 4 years. I did drain the oil out and changed it, now I need to know what I can spray into the cylinders before I crank it over for the 1st time? I want to pull the plugs and lube the cylinders just in case their dry...any ideas what to use?
I did hear you can use fogging oil but i want a 2nd opinion on that, thanks guys!

[Gitter Dun]

Use an oil pump priming shaft, pull distributor , run shaft (attatched to drill)down distributor to oil pump and pull trigger. Run for a few minutes, Botta-boom, botta-bing, engine primed.

[Yoda4561]

Pull the plugs and squirt some marvel mystery oil/wd40/fogger oil whatever in there a day or two before you start it up. Pull the distributor and prime the engine with a drill and appropriate priming shaft before you crank it.

[Taman]

Yes, prime the engine until the oil pressure comes up. I also agree on the fogging oil or the Marvels mystery oil. I would also take the carb apart and clean it. Going to be gummed up after that long. Use fresh gas. Check belts and hoses for cracks or being tight. Good luck and enjoy.

[wendell]

If you're not up for opening up the carb, at least drain the bowls. The gas in there will be rough. Prime the engine for at least a full minute (the preasure will come up in a few seconds) to ge oil to the top end.
I would skip the oil in the combustion chambers. If by some chance you rusted the rings to the walls, a little oil isn't going to get your ring seal back. Better to just turn the crank a half tune to make sure everything is free.

Enjoy it.

[Taman]

I disagree on the carb. It's been sitting for four years. Unless you drained and took apart and cleaned the carb before storage, all the little passages could be clogged with varnish.Wendell is 100% correct. If the cylinder walls are rusted, oil won't help. I would put the fogging oil in just to lube the cylinders till the oil get flowing after startup. Not for the rust,if any.

[wendell]

I disagree on the carb. It's been sitting for four years. Unless you drained and took apart and cleaned the carb before storage, all the little passages could be clogged with varnish.Wendell is 100% correct. If the cylinder walls are rusted, oil won't help. I would put the fogging oil in just to lube the cylinders till the oil get flowing after startup. Not for the rust,if any.

I should have been clearer. I agree you should go through the carb. BUT, if dissasembling a carb is going to leave you with a pile of parts, don't dissasemble it. Drain the bowls.

[brddog7683]

I disagree on the carb. It's been sitting for four years. Unless you drained and took apart and cleaned the carb before storage, all the little passages could be clogged with varnish.Wendell is 100% correct. If the cylinder walls are rusted, oil won't help. I would put the fogging oil in just to lube the cylinders till the oil get flowing after startup. Not for the rust,if any.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions, much appreciated! Before storing the Firebird I pulled the carbs and ran all the gas out and wrapped up for storage so that should not be an issue. I will take your advice and use a little fogging oil just in case.
So as far as priming the engine again, I do have that tool that attaches to the drill but I forget if the Pontiacs are counterclockwise or clockwise on the rotation to spin the oil pump? The motor I have is the 76 Pontiac 400. If I remember isn't it counterclockwise? So then I will put the drill into reverse and spin it till I see pressure at the gauge?

[LSx_88_Ciera]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions, much appreciated! Before storing the Firebird I pulled the carbs and ran all the gas out and wrapped up for storage so that should not be an issue. I will take your advice and use a little fogging oil just in case.
So as far as priming the engine again, I do have that tool that attaches to the drill but I forget if the Pontiacs are counterclockwise or clockwise on the rotation to spin the oil pump? The motor I have is the 76 Pontiac 400. If I remember isn't it counterclockwise? So then I will put the drill into reverse and spin it till I see pressure at the gauge?

Counterclockwise.
The easiest way to remember is if the distributor is left of centerline towards the drivers side the rotation is counterclockwise and vise versa.

[Windycity1]

One of the main things not mentioned is the gas tank. After 4 years that gas is no good. I would drain and clean the tank.