Im looking at a 1980 Z28 that has been in storage for 12+ years. What steps should I take before starting it? It has been kept in a garage but it wasn't temp controled. Are there things that should be replaced before I even attempt to start it?

Thanks for any help or advice

 

put new gas in for sure. i would also do an oil change, new fluids, etc.

 

So I dont need to worry about any seals or gaskets? Just new oil and fresh gas?

Someone told me to prime the motor with oil?

 

nah, the seals dont need messed with unless their leaking. it might be a good idea to prime the oil after you change it but its not really necessary unless you have no oil pressure.

 

just turn the motor over a couple times after the oil change and the new gas and see what the oil pressure is at.

 

any risk of damaging something by trying to start it?

 

After changing all the fluids it may be a good idea to pull the distributor and spin the oil pump with a drill motor to get the bearings lubricated, and to spray some WD40 in each spark plug hole to avoid scoring the dry cylinder walls. After 12 years all lube has either drained out into the crank case or dried up, so it is almost like starting a brand new engine.

 

yea, i would do what z28pete says. after sitting for 12 years its will be dry. dont forget to mark the base of the distributor and intake manifold so when you put the distributor back on its in right.

also, after sitting for 12 years any of the old oil would become hard dried up flakes of crap or thick and conglamerated so after getting the motor running for a few minutes and you get the new oil to circulate and flush out the system i would drain the oil again and put some nice new clean stuff in aswell as a new oil filter

 

well, today is the day!!

Im taking the car to my mechanic to have him give it a good once over for me. If all goes well I will be the proud owner of a 1980 Z28!!!

 

good luck