1968 Camaro sitting for 10 years

tater223 · #1 09-13-2016, 02:42 AM

Hopefully you guys can offer some insight on any issues that might arise from attempting to start my 1968 Camaro that has been sitting in a dry garage for the last ten years. My dad purchased the car about 17 years ago and drove it until he moved onto a 48 Ford. Car was stored in the garage and started occasionally until 2008 when my Mom passed. Dad passed away in 2013 and he left the car to me. Aside from flushing the fuel system, new fluids, battery and some Marvels down the cylinders, should this thing fire up? I have never started a car that has been sitting this long and do not want to damage anything. Car has a 427, Muncie and a 12 bolt. Car was restored 20+ years ago but is still in great shape and rust free. I would like to bring her back to life and transition the car into a Day 2 look. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

**enio45** · #2 09-13-2016, 03:13 AM

oil the cylinders for sure, if u can, it would be god to run the oil pump by taking out the dist and get the oil flowing inside the motor, around the crank etc.....it should fire up!!

Astock · #3 09-13-2016, 03:21 AM

Your good to go..10 years is nothing. Tomorrow, I'm going to start and move a vehicle thats been sitting outside for 20 years. Piece of cake. You can always pull the valve covers and lub. it up.

**Kurt S** · #4 09-13-2016, 03:35 AM

I agree. As long as the storage was dry (i.e. no rust in the bores), it should fire up the same if it sat 10 days or 10 years.
Some hydraulic lifters (if not solids) could be sticky, but running it will fix that.
Big help is filling the carb via the vent tubes - saves a lot of cranking.

**bilede** · #5 09-13-2016, 04:58 AM

The car looks day 2 already and pretty cool at that..

**PeteLeathersac** · #6 09-13-2016, 01:24 PM

'

Your Dad's car is very cool and welcome aboard Tater!
After sitting that long, best may be disable the ignition and crank engine oil pressure up before firing engine for the 1'st time also be sure what state your brakes are at before going for a rip.
Can you please let us know what the stamped #'s in front of the passenger's side head are also do you know where your Dad bought the car?
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

tater223 · #7 09-14-2016, 04:05 AM

Thanks for the replies...I thought that I should be okay but wanted a few opinions first. I already pulled the valve covers to see what heads were on it and I plan on oiling everything first. My dad bought the car from a consignment shop in Michigan back in 1999 on a lunch break from work(mom was not too happy). We were told it was a 427/435 at the time but never really looked into it. Motor is a counter exchange.Stamp pad is CE971xxx. Heads are stamped 3919840 HI PERF. I am in process of removing all fake braided hose/wire junk and will be replacing with factory correct parts. Going with some Cragars and ProTracs once it is up and running.