im going to attempt to start a 1970 caddy thats been sitting for 8 years....?

Question

it ran for like 2 miles last summer and im going to try to start it at least tomorrow, what can i do change the oil or trans fluid or what do i do where do i start. it is capable of running as i said. help for gods sake i need to get this thing running. thank you

Answer 1

WOW lots of really good ideas out there. Sorry people of the new generation, pay attention now. This is a 1970 Cadillac. This ain't no rice burner or American tin. this is a good old fashioned North American Iron!! This puppy does not need to be pampered. #1- charge the battery. #2-drain as much fuel out of the tank as possible, if there is less than !/4 tank add at least 10 gallons of mid grade with 4 oz gas line antifreeze. #3- verify oil in motor, #4- check for coolant, #5- check brake pedal, make sure it works, ( you`re gonna want to move it). #6- remove battery wire from hei dist, or remove coil. Final check, turn on ignition, verify "oil" lamp is on. Check that throttle does not stick. Crank the motor for 15 sec, stop for 1min, crank for 30 sec, stop, reconnect coil, pump the pedal several times and crank. Even if the gas is rotten , this car is so forgiving you could almost run it on vodka, wait that would almost be cheaper than gas. It ain`t a fuely, It`s just not computer controlled. Should be a 425 in there but it could be a 472,single 4 brl, don`t try and change it , it`s got lots o poop. enjoy. PS: after you get it running for several minutes, stop and change the oil/ filter. If it warms up a bit it allows the oil to wash down anything that may have been left behind last year as opposed to putting in new oil and have it wash it down. Way to go Carl!

Answer 2

First of all. Take your battery out and leave it charging overnight, that way you will have a fresh charged battery to start cranking the old caddy back to life. However if your battery is more than three - four years old, you will probably need to buy a new one. Sometimes, an old battery may even die with no apparent reason, even if day before it was OK.

Get some GAS Booster mix and put it in the tank. Get a few fresh gallons of gas and put it in ;-) If you can bleed the old gas out and get a new gas filter.

Check the spark plugs... replace them if needed (probably you will and wires too now that you are at the store)

Get an Air Filter and replace the old one.

Check the coolant level. It should be between "low" and "full" marks in the expansion tank. If it is too low, add a coolant fluid

Check the oil and other fluids ... replace as needed. (probably you will have to do them all)

Ok... now....
If you don't hear the cranking sound when you're trying to start your car, means that starter doesn't work - something could be wrong with the starter, starter wires, relay, or the battery is dead. Also check battery terminals, they could be corroded or loose.

Remember; black smoke means the engine runs very rich - too much gasoline goes to the engine which most likely means there is something wrong with fuel- or ignition system. For example this may happen when one or two cylinders misfire.
- stinky blue or white-blue smoke means burning oil as result of serious internal engine defect (like broken pistons or piston rings).

Good luck

Answer 3

First the gas needs to be primed - add some dry gas today and let it work intot he tank.

The 1970 had a carb if I remember, if so get some carb cleaner and spray it out.
Charge the battery.
Check all the fluid levels but do not change them ---yet.
Check ALL the hoses - be ready to change them after 8 years they may be cracked and will break under pressure.
Check the belts for wear, but do nothing unless the car runs.
Check the tires for cracks and splits, add air.


After you get the car started and running for 10 to 20 minutes then it is time to consider changing all the fluids if the car looks like a keeper. Change hoses and belts that are worn cause it will cost you a lot more if they blow on the highway.

Have fun and good luck.

Answer 4

Pull all 8 plugs and squirt some 10w oil in each clyn. let it sit about 20 mins and bar the engine over by hand a couple of times. pull off the top of the carb and check for varnish and gum, clean with Berrymans carb cleaner if needed. Check the oil and coolant. pull the fuel line at the carb and spray a bunch of WD-40 into the line. fill the float chamber with fuel, replace the plugs, charge the bat. and go for it. Do NOT rev the engine, let it idle until the oil is warm and the upper chambers are lubed.

Answer 5

Drain the gas tank and fill it with fresh fuel. Replace the fuel filter. You'll probably have to rebuild the carb but you might get away without doing it for a while. Check to make sure the points aren't rusted.

Remove the air cleaner and have someone watch to make sure the floats don't stick. You'll know if that happens on account gas will be overflowing from the bowl vents. If that happens you'll need to rebuild the carb.

Change the oil and filter too. If the car starts and runs you'll probably need to flush and refill the cooling system before driving it anywhere. Also make sure to check all the brake hoses to make sure they're not rotted out.

Answer 6

pull the plugs, squirt a bit of motor oil in each cylinder and hand turn the engine. there is absolutely no oil on the internal parts, it all drained into the pan. hand turning gets at least a little oil on them. prime the carburetor with fuel, install the plugs. crank the engine in short bursts and pump the accelerator. if it runs and dies, there maybe water in the gas tank from condensation. don't gun the engine, just let it idle until the oil is circulating.

Answer 7

change the fluids and buy a fuel stabilizer for the tank its problaby bad gas by now, charge the battery

Answer 8

heres a check list of things you need to do before you start it.

change the oil
change plugs
change plug wires
add fule booster to gas
change coolent
wait 24 hours for fule booster to work.

good luck