Start a Laid up 1098

[quirky292]

Hey

Im new to the club and have just currently purchased a 1963 Traveller with a 1098cc engine.
Bought the vehicle as a decent barn find.

The vehicle has been stored in the barn for 3 years and the owner said about a year ago it wouldn't start but just turn over instead. So far as i am aware the vehicle hasn't started for 3 years.
Before I start the engine is there any thing that needs checking or changing?
I.E. Check plugs, Fuel Pump etc

Many thanks

Jon

[mike.perry]

Remove the plugs and squirt some oil around the bores before turning the engine over on the starting handle.
Buy yourself a proper workshop manual and work your way through the service items
Check the front suspension top and bottom trunnions for wear. It may be advisable to strip the swivel pins, clean the old grease out and repack with fresh.

[quirky292]

Ok thanks,
I have purchased a Haynes Manual and have the Morris minor workshop manual aswell.
DO you think its necessary to replace all the gearbox oil, diff oil etc?

[chrisd87]

Personally I'd just check that there's (reasonably uncontaminated) oil in it, then try it. Maybe spin it over with the ignition switched off for 10 seconds or so, to get the oil circulating nicely before it starts. I started an engine that'd sat in a garage for 2 years not long ago, and it fired up first turn of the key. The exhaust was very smoky for the first few minutes, after which it cleared and the engine ran very well.

[quirky292]

Ok thanks,

Hopefully she will fire into life without any problems at all.

Blimey 2years sat around and started up first turn of the key. Very good engine

[bmcecosse]

You MUST put oil down the bores, and while the plugs are out, gently feel if the engine will turn using the fan blades - or the starting handle. If it turns - then crank it over on the starter (plugs still out) until the oil pressure light goes out - and then keep going for a GOOD 10 seconds. Fit new plugs (or at least clean the ones you have). The fuel pump may not work - clean the points. Use fresh petrol , pour an egg cup full down the carb throat and crank it- and hopefully it will start.

[beero]

BMCs advise is good. Check none of the valves are stuck down as well. One of mine were (but it had been stood 22 years!)

[bmcecosse]

Good point to check the valves...I didn't think about that possibility!

[quirky292]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

Will try and start her up when she comes home, and hopefully nothing will go wrong.

Thanks Again

[quirky292]

Again thanks everyone for the help.

Went over today(as the car isnt currently home but not far away) i managed to start her up.

With fresh fuel, oil down each spark plug, cleaned the points and rotor arm, cleaned and checked the fuel pump was pumping, spun her over for ten seconds and she sparked into life. not bad for 2.1/2 years laid up.

Thanks again for the help

[bmcecosse]

Great success - now -is the clutch plate seized to the flywheel??