Hi all, newb to the old Toys but not to wheeling or mechanicing.
I just picked up an 80 longbed. It has been sitting for years. Came with 3 dead batteries an extra bad motor a couple buckets of parts, rust, dried out stuff , aftermarket seats with no mounts,bad clutch master cyl a lift and 33s and some hack mechanic work.

After inspecting it there are mutliple sensors/ sensors on the intake with no
wires. Ive never tried to restart a vehicle that has been sitting.

What should my process be? Has clean oil in it. The air filter base gasket to carb is dried out junk.

Thanks for any help or suggestions in advance. - A

 

Be ready to spend some cash.

 

I would start off by changing the oil and filter. Draining the fuel tank, changing the fuel filter & PCV valve. Then work on getting it to start. After you get it running, you'll see what you need to do.

 

Maybe ill just part it out. . . .

 

I would pull the plugs and squirt some marvel mystery in the cylinders maybe a tablespoon or so. Use a turkey baster to squirt it or whatever you feel lilke using. Let it sit overnight. Then the next day pull the plugs again to alleviate pressure while your manually cranking or turning the engine to get things moving. Then wait a little while and do it again and give it a crank when you can.

 

Dont forget to put plugs back in before you crank on it.

 

Cant hurt to try and get it running! I also have an 80 in about the same shape, got it running and found out the head was warped beyond repair. But i had fun figuring it out and learning about these trucks!

 

When I was in high school I bought an old 71 firebird that hadn't moved for about 10 years. It was a blast! I enjoyed working on it very much. It never looked good, but it was ok for in high school. I thought about fixing it up but I decided I wanted a 4runner, so I sold it but I really loved the experience of taking it from almost nothing, to something that I really enjoyed.

I would echo what the others said. Drain oil, drain fuel (hopefully there is some in there so the inside of the tank isn't rusted out), change filters, turn engine by hand before you start to make sure it moves freely, and have fun with it. You might have to spend a lot of money in the long run, but you don't have to spend it all up front.

Also make sure you check all fuel lines if any are rubber. I had a dry cracked leaky one that I thankfully found before my engine compartment set on fire. Make sure you check the tires after running them a while to make sure they aren't rotting away. Sometimes when they've sat they look fine and then fall apart soon after being used again. Heat kills rubber. Hopefully you don't live in a desert.

 

Got any pic's of your new rig?

 

Sorry not yet. The CL posting was deleted I was going to steal them from there. Its an ugly basket case. super faded yellow to tan ish lots of rust spots and dents.

 

where are you located? ill just buy the whole truck, another first gen project for me not to finish

 

Western CO

 

to far for me, pics would help, is it 2 wheel or 4 wheel?

 

4x4 ill get some pics...

 

 

well I plulled a plug and looked inside, no rust. Turned it over by hand, has compression.
Borrowed a battery and dumped some gas in the tank and the carb and it will run off what is in the carb. I think the fuel pump may be bad or cracked lines who knows. Its hunting season now so it can sit a bit longer.