hey all, I am a new member and I picked up my brothers 1987 firebird which was sitting in front of the house for almost 2 years. It ran fine before this time but obviously now it is not in good shape! My question is what should i look into to replace just to get this thing running again. I know it will be hard to give advice with out seeing the car or having that much info. I got it for free and the body is in pretty nice condition and have decide to give it a shot and try to make it run again. so any advice on what to check and what needs replacing will be greatly appreciated! right now the car just sits there, put the key in turn nothing at all happens. so any tips you can give me would be great!
thank you :hail:

bryan

 

Nothing happens...

So it doesn't even try to turn over.

Most likely a dead battery in that case.

Places like Autozone will recharge the battery for free.

That would be the first place to look.

 

No feedback? Helping to solve your problems will not be easy without a little information.

 

I'd agree about the battery. Don't forget though--it's been sitting for 2 years!!!! That means, the gas has gone bad...the oil is probably sludgy..... I'd do a pretty complete fluid check and service before you run the motor very much at all! And try to get as much of that old gas out of there as you can.....maybe you can siphon it into a gas can. Then I'd fill the tank FULL with good, fresh gas...and add some gas additive to get rid of any water, etc. in it.

 

thanks for the feedback thus far. I will try to give ya as much information that I know about the car. i talked to my brother the car had a 350 swap when he first bought it 7 years. Yeah it doesn't do anything when i turn the key. to yeah a new battery was first on my list. I actually just picked one up on my way home from work. I will also try to syphon the gas out. Also what aditives would you recommend?
Draining the fluids and replacing with new will be the next step. I will post feedback when i get accomplish those tasks. ANy more suggestions will be great. and thanks for helping me out guys!!

Bryan

 

Siponing may not do much good if the tank is less than ¼ full. m In that case, fill with fresh low-octane gasoling and cross your fingers. The stale fuel will increase the octane quite a bit. If the tank is half full or more, try draining as much as you can. In either case, plan on a new fuel filter in the near future.

If you get the battery installed and engine started, allow the engine to warm fully before draining oill. Change oil and filter. If the rest of the fluids are in reasonably good condition, wait until you drive teh car for a few miles before changing things like transmission and rear gear oil.

Of course, all fluids and filters shoudl be addressed, as well as brakes, wheell bearings, chassis and body lubrication, etc.