Cautiously optimistic.........41 year slumber

[DAC21]

Checked the Dip Stick on Sleeping Beauty....was expecting La Brea Tar Pits after 41 years. DAMN! clear and at full level on the stick, typical 30/40 weight viscosity, not dirty on the paper towel. Cautiously optimistic any significant Motor / Tranny work will be later vs sooner in the overall process of getting her back on the street.

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[dads311]

Nice!!! Just go slow. Sometimes engines get a little cranky after having been asleep for 40+ years.

[Bwk2000]

After 41 years, I would think whatever the seals and gaskets have morphed into will be your Nemesis … The gift that keeps on giving, as it were

[todd lorber]

Not sure where in California you are located, but I made an oil pressure pot that will screw into where the roadster's oil filter goes. This enables you to run oil through the gallery without grinding any dry parts together.

I'm in the LA area. You are welcome to use the pot if you need it.

[SLOroadster]

I'll bet the solids have precipitated out of the oil and are sitting on the bottom of the oil pan in a thick sludge. I'd drain the oil and go from there. Start with a 5/20 high detergent oil that will penetrate into where crud can accumulate, and help flush it out. Run it on that for awhile before you drive it. When you are ready to drive it, change the oil out for some 15/50 or 20/50 and add some Marvel Mystery Oil to help clean the rest of the crud out.

My guess is that it starts and runs just fine assuming the engine is free. I'd also rotate the engine through with a wrench while checking the upper timing chain for bad links.

Will

[DAC21]

Not sure where in California you are located, but I made an oil pressure pot that will screw into where the roadster's oil filter goes. This enables you to run oil through the gallery without grinding any dry parts together.

I'm in the LA area. You are welcome to use the pot if you need it.

Thanks Todd, I may well take you up on that. I'm in chino so probably less than 50 miles from your location.

Dennis

[DAC21]

I'll bet the solids have precipitated out of the oil and are sitting on the bottom of the oil pan in a thick sludge. I'd drain the oil and go from there. Start with a 5/20 high detergent oil that will penetrate into where crud can accumulate, and help flush it out. Run it on that for awhile before you drive it. When you are ready to drive it, change the oil out for some 15/50 or 20/50 and add some Marvel Mystery Oil to help clean the rest of the crud out.

My guess is that it starts and runs just fine assuming the engine is free. I'd also rotate the engine through with a wrench while checking the upper timing chain for bad links.

Will

Thanks for the suggestions. When I get this car to my location, I'll soak the pistons / rings, lube up the lifters / cam. then go through the hand crank procedure to see if the engine is free. If that's good I'll drop the gas tank, radiator and have those sent out. Then rebuild the Fuel Pump. I bought the timing cover gasket from Dean, so I'll have a look at the timing chain while waiting on the radiator shop. Maybe I'll just replace it regardless as it's the original chain, although only 79k on it. I doubt I'd be driving the car more than 1500 miles a year if that.