[ReidRules18]

Hi there guys. Well, I am a college student and I just got a 72 Opel GT that has been at my grandma's house for a couple of years. Just the problem is it hasn't been started in over about 7 years and it needs some new tires and brakes. My biggest concern is the start. What should I do? I don't want to sieze the engine up, what's the best way to protect against this? Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated.

Reid

 

[RITTER]

The Best way and safest to boot would be to pull the engine apart clean it put it back together with some new bearings , seals and gaskets. I f your lacking in the mechanical dept. there is another way but not safe exactly... Remove the Carb have it cleaned and rebuilt ,after 7 years it deserves it. Drain the fuel tank if there is any fuel in it if not your looking at having the fuel tank cleaned unless someone had the forsight to drain it beforehand otherwise get ready to buy a lot of fuel filters and carb rebuild kits,check your oil for signs of water also check the oil filter if no signs of condensation you might be lucky . pull the sparkplugs check them for rust if none try turning the engine over manually if it turns easily you might be real lucky!While you have all this torn apart it's a good time to do a pressure test on your recirculatory system or better known as coolant system just to make sure there are no bad head gaskets or cracked anythings. if it is fine...Great!Whoops almost forgot ... great time to perform a cylinder compression test! if i remember right they should be close to 126 to 136 somewhere in there i believe and you don't want a big difference between the cylinders.Now put your rebuilt Carb back on put good fuel in your tank ( with a 72 i think you may need to use a lead additive) nice new fuel filters preferably a clear one before carb, and one before the pump. Put a nice new oil filter on and some nice oil , With a new battery i would leave the sparkplugs out for now and just turn her over and see what kind of oil pressure you build up. If it is around the two to three i would feel brave enough to replace sparkplus and try her out!!! Keep in mind you don't want to test out the drivability of your car until you replace the brakes DON'T SKIMP they will save your life! Wish you all the best of luck!
Ritter