Hi there. I just bought a 1983 Z28 with the std. 305 and 700r4 from the original owner. it has 92,000 miles, and I have a few questions.

-When the car is hot it will start just fine, but when it is cold it cranks over for awhile. I press the accelerator to the floor and let up when its cold like youre supposed to and it still takes a while.
-I noticed it spinning over slowly, i chargerd the battery, but i noticed that the battery it has is only 440 CCA. that seems low. the one in my '98 z28 is about 750 CCA. would that affect the cold starting, maybe not a strong enough spark?
-Next question, all of the vacuum lines are completly dry rotten. Most of these are for emmissions, but will this make the engine run rough? Im trying to figure out if its a little rough because it sat for 2.5 years, and i need to clean the carb, or if its the vacuum line.

thanks!

 

Welcome aboard, before anything IMO I would put a fully charged correct size battery in her.

 

sat for 2 1/2 years..............was it run during the time?

If not


drain the tank, drain the tank, drain the tank

drop the tank, drop the tank, drop the tank

clean the tank, clean the tank, clean the tank

then blow out the fuel lines and replace the filter

do not court with trouble.

oh, of course you replace old tubes and hoses. That's S.O.P.


and since the tank is out, those nasty bushings could use to be replaced and you may as well change the diff oil and U joint and even pinion seal. You're there, you have access, be proactive


ahhhh, the joys of the true cost of ownership of old cars

the bright side is that once you get the little nuisance things done (well, they are nuisance items to some ) they won't bite you in the rump at an inopportune moment

 

To answer the OP question on vacuum lines...yes they will affect engine performance if missing, disconnected or otherwise compromised.

 

so the battery is a bit small?

 

and no it did not run for those two years.

-Is there any kind of kit for all the vacuum lines? it looks like everything is there but they are in just horrible shape.