72 chevy siting for 5 years. Process to get it running?

[srea76]

ok engine gurus. I have a high school friend that come to me this week saying he wanted to sale me his 1972 custom 10 he has had for 20 years. He got it in 1992 for his 16th birthday. I know about 12 years ago he spent a small fortune on a small block stroker 400, turbo 350 trans with shift kit rebuild, and new rear end. I talked with him a while today and he is asking 3000.00. I may get it cheaper. The truck has sit under an open shelter for the last 5 years. Kids, new truck etc. The battery died, tires went flat, it just sit there and started to die. The truck rockers are both rusted out, floor on driver side has some rust. Really something I would not go after except I rode around with him in this truck when I was 16 and man does it bring back some memories. I have my baby I'm restoring, but would love to make this truck my daily driver.

So long story short..if everything was running fine 5 years ago when he stopped driving it. Could I flush all the fluids and try to start it up? I am definitely going through breaks, etc. for safety reasons, but just curious motor wise what would be my best path without hurting anything. All suggestions really appreciated!

[trac209]

I would flush or at least check the coolant. Change the oil. I would pull the distributor wire and crank it over so the oil builds pressure before it's fired up, fresh gas as well if possible. If it ran when parked it should start right up. Ive started vehilces sitting much longer than that with the same procedure without issue most of the time. good luck

[srea76]

I definitely plan on replacing all fluids. Distributor is good idea. Hate for it to start runing without good oil everywhere.

[cdowns]

i would not try to spin it with the starter to start off// i'd squirt oil into the cylinders with the plugs out and carefully try rotating it by hand to see if the rings are free and not rusted to the cylinder walls// or if there is rust buildup in the cylinders

[truckster]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i would not try to spin it with the starter to start off// i'd squirt oil into the cylinders with the plugs out and carefully try rotating it by hand to see if the rings are free and not rusted to the cylinder walls// or if there is rust buildup in the cylinders

I agree, although I would recommend penetrating oil.

[oklalawnboy]

Fresh fuel turn over once or twice by hand, unhook coil wire/distributor turn over several times for oil pressure, rehook dist and fire her up!

[da-burb]

Last year November I did the exact same thing to a 1969 Pontiac Lemans convert. 28 years without being started. It hadn't run since 1983. The gas even smelled like real gas. Cranked it over to build pressure and it fired and ran good on the second attempt.

[srea76]

ok I bit the bullet and bought the truck today. He has all the paperwork from the engine build about 10 years ago. He is working on getting it out of his attic. He did tell me today it is a 400 small block bored .040 over with 350 rods, browneye pistons and a 750 double pumper. Said it suppose to be around 400 hp. What do you all think? I heard the 400s may have some overheating problems?

[CC69Rat]

400 + .0040 and 350 stroke = 388ci? That right? Was it decked / destroked?

It sounds like a pretty healty little small block..

[srea76]

Not sure about all the details. I am waiting on the paperwork with everything listed.

[PanelDeland]

400 with a 350 crank (I don't remember overbore) was a 377.Higher reving with less torque IIRC.

[srea76]

Its 350 rods, still has 400 crank

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by srea76

Its 350 rods, still has 400 crank

You sure? not that it's a huge deal .. just curious.

[srea76]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

You sure? not that it's a huge deal .. just curious.

Yep thats what he said is on paperwork. I am waiting to get all that and verify.

[jaros44sr]

Dont use the crank bolt to spin the motor, will likly snap, and give you more work. Buy the proper adapter designed to spin the motor

[srea76]

Little rain and almost dark so sorry about the Cell Phone quality, but this is the green lantern

[Square_78]

Exciting!!!

Pull the plugs and shoot in some pentrating oil. Make sure the engine turns freely. check the oil level and to make sure its black and not creamy white. Pull off the coil wire and turn over the motor a few times with the starter to build oil pressure. Put the coil wire back on a fire it up! Shoud run fine as long as there are no other problems. As soon as you know it runs, change all the fluids and filters etc. New plugs and wires wouldnt hurt. Flush the cooling system also. Be sure to check the oil pressure also before you run it too long. Hopefully the guage in the dash is working.

Post some pics!!!

[truckster]

The SBC 400 isn't any more likely to overheat than other small blocks. The difference is that it's not as tolerant of being overheated. Just make sure the cooling system is up to snuff and you should have no problem.

[ChevLoRay]

I ran a 400SB in my '76 Blazer, pulled a 25-ft camper w/AC and not any issues with cooling.

When the 400 block was designed, it was done with what GM called steam vents. They must have worked....

Plenty of them bored .030 over to yield a 406.

[CC69Rat]

Wow.. SWB CST? Good buy fo sho.
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[srea76]

72 custom 10. and SWB. back bed is nice shape. Just crossing my fingers I get this running easy.

[71-C10]

I haven't started my 68 in several years, what type of penetrating oil are you talking about? Something like marvel mystery oil?

Thanks,

Eddie

[WIDESIDE72]

There are two issues with 400's regarding overhaeating. The first is the fact that due to the larger 4.125" bore, the cylinders are "siamezed" with no cooling water passing between the cylinder bores as in other SBC engines. The other issue is original 400 block and heads had steam holes drilled in them that other SBC engines did not. The overheating problems occured when heads designed for engine other than 400's were installed and the steam holes were not drilled. It is easy enough to drill these holes. Alll it takes is an original 400 head gasket for a template and the appropriate size drill bit.

[srea76]

The overheating I am referring too is from reading about the .040 over on a 400. Some sites say that may make it prone to overheating. Time will tell. Got one set of wheels with tires today. Hope to get the other set tomorrow and move that girl to my house over the weekend.

[srea76]

After using everyone's advice here, which I appreciate, I got the truck home yesterday. I suctioned gas out of tank and filled it with super premium as well as a can of seafoam. I checked the oil and it actually looked pretty clean after setting up for 5 years so I decided to go with it for initial test runs. I changed the plugs out and shot a little penetrating oil in each one before I installed new plug( smoke stopped after that burnt off). Also cleaned carb with carb and choke cleaner. I will need to rebuild carb as it has some issues. Also will have to replace fuel pump because of bad leak. But first start was a success and I cant wait to get her on the road. I got a new picture of truck in my yard and my little girl helping me change plugs. Also link before of first start. Thanks guys!

http://youtu.be/JrYJqGg5uag