Thread: newbie trying to get a 283 to run after 9 years in storage

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Yes, I've been back and yes, I've read all the postings. Didn't want to get in a pissing match with anyone, so took all the great info and went to work. Had a friend of a friend who knows SBCs come by and help. We spun the oil pump with a primer tool. I couldn't get the pulley attachment to hand turn the motor, so hooked up a battery and got the engine to turn using the starter, first without the plugs, then with the plugs (after sitting for 4 days with marvel mystery in the cylinders). Turns over just fine. Oil guage shows oil pressure when the engine is turning over. It wants to start, but isn't quite firing.

Got a couple electrical wires to repair at the starter, and then I'll put in new plugs and try it again.

Bug - I appreciate your offer to help, but I'm a couple hours away from Manteca and found a local guy willing to help.

Techinspector - I know I was a bit sarcastic in my reply, but I hope you at least got a chuckle out of the "son/pops" comments.

I've drained all the old fuel and looked in the tank and it's pretty clean, so I added 7 gallons of new fuel. I unhooked the fuel line at the tank and poured in some Marvel Mystery Oil, then about 2 cups of diesel fuel to flush the fuel line. Added a little air pressure and shot it into a catch bottle. A little messy, but after a couple cups of diesel fuel, the line is clean (no more nasty stuff coming into the catch bottle). Blew out the line, then installed a clear inline fuel filter. The fuel filter is now getting fuel and it's clean, so I'm feeling good about getting decent fuel. I'll eventually replace the fuel tank or have it boiled out and coated.

So, I got allot of good advice, I sorted through what worked for me and I got good results. Thanks guys. If I get it to run, I'll probably go through the brakes, replace all the radiator, trans and diff fluids, put on an Edeldbrock Carb with an adapter plate and drive it for awhile. I'm told the bearings might be rusty and in 500 miles, the engine might stop running, or it might run forever. The plan is to drive it a bit, update the front end to disc brakes, do a little body work, and in a year or so, cough up some money for a new motor.

I'm sure I'll be back on this site for more questions and more great info.

Thanks!



UPDATE - recharged the battery and ran a jumper wire and she fired right up!!! A little smokey, and idled at almost 2000 rpm, but she ran pretty smooth overall. Ran her for about 5 minutes before the wife yelled at me to get ready for our dinner out on the town.