For a 1968 engine (390 V-8 in an AMC AMX) that's been sitting for 10 years, should I pull the plugs, pour a slight amount of oil in the cylinders, and turn the crank by hand with a big fudgin' wrench? If yes, do I turn the engine clockwise?
I have a fresh battery but I'm afraid of starting it by battery. Any help appreciated!
Clockwise. Change out the fuel, fuel filter, oil and oil filter and pcv valve, squirt some PB Blaster into the cylinders and get new plugs. Turn it over by hand first a couple of times (plugs out). The, spark it and hope for the best.
Thank you, Doc!
Usually in that situation I put some Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders and let it sit for a day or two, then try turning the engine clockwise with a breaker bar and socket.
If the car has been sitting for a real long time all of the hoses and fluids will need to be changed. Brakes should be completely rebuilt. If it has the 4-piston Bendix front discs that AMC was using at the time parts are available, but expensive. Companies like Scarebird make conversion kits to make use of more modern parts if desired. Fuel system will need to be flushed out, carb and fuel pump likely will need to be rebuilt or replaced. If your AMX has the standard vacuum windshield wipers a double-action fuel pump with vacuum booster is used, and those are getting hard to get though they can be rebuilt. Same for the vacuum wiper motor.
You may have issues with the front suspension. The AMX is based on a shortened Rambler American/Javelin chassis, including trunnion-based front suspension. (Trunnion on upper control arm, ball joint on lower arm.) Parts are available to rebuild the trunnions if needed but they are expensive and few people know how to work on them any more. A quick check is the front coil springs should be straight. If bowed out the trunnions are worn and will need to be rebuilt, this video shows doing that on a 1968 Javelin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Exi8v0LzQ
OH CHUCK!
