My 300D has not been started in two years. Should I worry about sticking rings?
 

Yeah, that about says it all. The car has never run WVO, and it has 139,100. It was last started two to three years ago.

I would pull all the GP's out & squirt about a tea spoon of ATF in each hole. Leave it for a day or 2. Then turn it over without GP's for about 10 sec. Test the GP's properly. Put them back. Then start it.

Hand Crank it First.
 

If (Why do you bring up sticking rings????) you suspect a problem.

Tie off (Down) the Emergency Stop Lever and using a ratchet crank the engine
around 4 revolutions to see if anything Binds.

Did you take any Prophylactic measures with the Diesel in the Tank?
(Adding 16 oz. "Pri-D" and 8 oz."Startron" to the Tank before filling.)

I'd change the engine Oil to a Fully Synthetic ('Purple,Red Line,Delvac)
With a new filter.
and Feed the Primary Filter from a 1/2 Gallon container of New Fresh Diesel.
Glow that baby and fire her off.

OR follow Layback's instructions.

Actually, I'm just trying to finetune my restoration plan and anticipate all potential issues before starting. I didn't know if not running the car for 2-3 years would cause the rings to stick or not -- I'm pretty new to both diesels and car repair.

No preference on DEXRON I/II/III, since this is just being used as an all-purpose lubricant, right?

No
 

Layback is suggesting the ATF because of it's Penetrating/Cleansing properties.
(? Your original concern WAS sticking rings ?)

The Most Aggressive "Penetrant" (Besides Kano's "Kroil") is allegedly:
1/2 ATF and 1/2 Acetone.

DISCLAIMER: I'm Not suggesting anyone Burn ATF/Acetone in ANY piston
engine.

Conspiracy Theorist's SEXIST Example:
Acetone is the Main component in Nail Polish Remover
LOOK what happens every Two Fortnights to it's Largest users !
AND they ain't even burning it !!!

Nah,people have Re-Started 617.XXX s after Decades
 

With nothing but a New Battery.

Howeveah,

You're going down the Road Less Traveled AND the most sensible!!!

BUT,If it was running O.K. 24 months ago your Only concerns are
filters and Fresh Fuel.
Of COURSE a New Oil Filter and Fresh Oil are a No Brainer.

If you are worried about oil not reaching the parts other beers can reach - you could always try cranking it with the stop lever pressed for a bit (though after 2 years you might not need to use the stop lever!). Be prepared to change / charge the battery.

I just did this last week. '84 CD had sat for 3 years prior to starting. I cranked a few revolutions on power steering pulley, seemed loose, disconected fuel line at pre-filter and pumped diesel into clear jar, no sediment or discolorization. Started first click!!!

That is what I would expect from a 617, unless it was in bad shape when parked.

No worries.

Any ATF will do. It is just to try & loosen the rings if they are stuck.
I would hold off on the acetone though.

Or marvel mystery oil

Oh, well I have Kroil, so I may just use it. Should'a thought of Kroil...

My 84 had sat in a side yard for 2.5 years after the PO crashed it. I chained it up behind my 2002 Sierra Denali and tow started it. Boy did it smoke like a container ship when it finally lit up. After getting it to run I changed the oil, oil filter, fuel filters, air filter, and did a valve adjustment.