Hey there folks. I have a 73 with a 383, 3 speed with 1500 miles on the engine. Drove it for about a month and really hated the gearing. I have a 2 part question

1) Its been sitting idle for a year (yes I know bad on me), I want to get it up and running. Before I try to turn it over, whats the recommendations to do before starting it

2) Once I get it started, I plan on taking it in to get the gearing sorted. I want to cruise and at 65 mph its just to tached out. Love the first gear but 3rd is running to hard at 65 mph.


Thanks
Newbie in Texas

 

First off a year is not a big deal depending on the condition everything was in when you parked it. You could have some varnish in the carb but a little seafoam or fuel injection cleaner in the gas can fix that up. Modern gas seems to not age well but once that tank is gone it should be fine. You may have a rough idle for a little bit. IMO draining the tank and cleaning out the carb is not worth the risk just a avoid one tanks worth of rough idle.

Now there could be things that where almost bad when you parked it that would not like sitting for a year. Old brake seals in the master cylinder caliper or wheel cylinders, if they are 15 years old then they may not like sitting for a year.. I always do a stomp test on the brakes of a car that has been sitting. Push as hard as you can with both feet on the brakes, with it running if its power brakes.

I assume by a 3 speed you mean an automatic? In older transmissions the final gear is 1:1 mean there are no gears. You really need another gear (Over drive) meaning a 700r4 or a 2004r transmission. A company called Gear Vendor has an add-on overdrive but the last time I looked you could buy the complete performance trans with the OD for less.

 

welcome mabey plugs too personally i love my 3 speed