72 280C hasn't run for over 3 years... where to start? HELP

Hi guys! Just found this website and immediately registered as I've been looking for such a resource for quite sometime now.

I've had a 72 280C 2Dr Sedan for quite awhile now and got it into a "running restoration" state. We had a baby in 1999 that made me stop the progress of my restoration. Anyway, 3 years later, I think I will have time to start "tinkering" on it again. I drove it 'til about early 99 when my starter died. I didn't bother replacing it since I didn't have time back then. That was the last time it's ever been cranked. I didn't do any "pre-storage" maintenance on the car and right now it's got about .05" of dust coating. I would like to get it into a "running restoration" state again but don't know where to start. Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

-glenn
Looking forward to drive my baby once again.

[ctaylor738]

No such thing as a 72 280C. Does it have the twin cam engine with the single carb (280C), or the single cam engine with dual carbs (250C)?

I would start by:

- getting the starter working - probably use a rebuilt unit.

- pull the top(s) off the carb(s) and see if the gas has turned to peanut butter. If it has, then you need to pull the fuel block(s) off and clean/blow out the jets and other orfices. If it hasn't, soak up any of the old gas in the float bowls with a paper towel, add some fresh gas and put the cover(s) back on.

- drain the gas tank and add some fresh gas

From here, you need to take the action indicated, but if you don't get the desired result, you need to fix the problem before going on to the next step.

- disconnect the fuel line near the carb and crank the engine for a minute or two to purge the old gas in the line into a cup, and reconnect the line.

- clean up or replace the points and gap them at .012." Crank the engine and look for a spark across the points.

- replace rotor and cap, pull a wire off a plug, crank engine and see if you get spark.

- check level of oil, water, PS fluid

- put a few drops of gas in the primaries

- crank the engine, and it should fire

Chuck,

My bad, it is a 73. I looked at your website and it's the exact same thing as you have there. I'll try to document the resto on this and hopefully provide help to someone that would be going through this same scenario in the future. Thanks for the tips.

-glenn

Damn, can you edit a screen name???