Starting a 74 360

[Blowout]

Hi Guys,

I have a 74 Rallye 360 that's been sitting for years (20+) and I want to get feed back/dos and don'ts on attempting to see if it will crank over or maybe even start.  Also, any items that would have to be replaced before even attempting, like maybe electronic ignition?? Any advice, greatly appreciated.

[JS29]

First I would put a socket and a breaker bar on the crank and try it by hand 

[71vert340]

 here would be my list. 1) Check engine oil and change it because of moisture. 2) remove all the spark plugs and squirt lubricant in each cylinder. Leave them out. 3) remove distributor and prime oil pump and engine components using drill if possible. 4) turn engine over by hand with socket and bar. 5) if engine turns over, then I'd check electrical start components (spark) and fuel system components (pump, carb, filter, lines). 6) I'd start it using only external gas container, not anything in the gas tank.
Terry W.

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

http://www.kaiserbill.com/Web-PDF/Start-Up.pdf

[Blowout]

Great article.

[Bullitt-]

http://www.kaiserbill.com/Web-PDF/Start-Up.pdf

good how to in general but the first thing I would do is squirt Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders, wait a day & see if I could turn the motor over using a breaker bar/socket on the crank bolt. I would about guarantee the rings are rusted to the cylinder walls & if you can't turn it over any other effort is waisted.

   
  I'm a Thermoquad carburetor fan but wouldn't bet a dime one will work without attention after sitting that long. Spray down the moving parts with penetrating oil & work them a bit to make sure it will open & close.  Maybe dribble some fuel down the throat to see if the engine can fire before getting involved in a fuel source & carburetor rebuild. 
  If you decide not to use the Thermoquad hang on to it, #s matching 340 carbs are hard to find and will bring $150+ for a good core.

[jimynick]

Well, as the owner of a 74 Rallye 360, that sat for 30+ years, I'll tell you what I did. I dropped the oil and filter, replacing with new, put some new plugs in it and give the cylinder a wee squirt of oil, made sure it had coolant in it and turned the key. If it won't turn over then you'll have to go to plan B, but mine did and I let it crank for 30 seconds or so before connecting the coil, poured some gas down her throat and away she went. Don't rev it until you see oil pressure and, of course, if you don't see any of that PDQ, shut it off. Mine smoked a bit until I'd run it for a few hours driving, but it's still in it and running to this day, 6 years later. Good luck! 

[Blowout]

Thanks for the feedback.